Plane Diverted in New Jersey as Bush Leaves Philadelphia The Associated Press

AP ^ | Jan 31, 2004 | Anon AP Stringer

[Pharmboy]

MEDFORD, N.J. (AP) - Military jets Saturday diverted a small plane flying in temporarily restricted air space shortly before President Bush flew out of Philadelphia on Air Force One, a Secret Service spokeswoman said. Two F-16 fighter jets ordered the plane to land at Medford's Flying W Airport, and the president was never in any danger, Secret Service spokeswoman Ann Roman said.

The fighter jets had to use flares to get the pilot's attention, said Lt. Col. Kacey Blaney of the Northeast Air Defense Sector. Usually pilots respond to radio contact or other signals, she said.

The plane and pilot were searched and the pilot was interviewed by the Secret Service after the plane landed, Roman said. Nothing was found that would suggest anything but an error on the part of the pilot, whose name was not immediately released, she said.

"Apparently he just failed to check the notice that was filed for the day and inadvertently entered the temporary flight restriction," Roman said.

No charges had been filed Saturday night.

Medford is about 20 miles east of Philadelphia, where Bush earlier gave a speech to GOP lawmakers.

AP-ES-01-31-04 2252EST

[Pharmboy]

Hmmm. The two F-16s couldn't get his attention? They needed flares? Check that pilot's blood alcohol level

[Peach]

Release and watch.

[VaBthang4]

EVIL FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TYRANTS!

LP5

[cpdiii]

A couple of years ago a pilot in the local area (near the Presidents Ranch in Crawford) went flying. Before he left the house his wife gave him "hell" about flying and told him he was to old to fly. He did not check his Notams and F-16s made him land at the Waco Airport which is close to Crawford. After the Secret Service determined he was not a threat he was taken back to his house by the Secret Service at which point his wife resumed her tirad against the unfortunate pilot. After enduring the wrath of his wife, his response to the Secret Service was, "Can I go back to Waco with you Boys?"

[McGavin999]

Sounds to me like that pilot needs to have his license pulled. They had to fire flares to get his attention? Kind of scary that he's flying the same sky as everyone else.

[exit82]

He probably drives the same way on NJ highways.....

[endthematrix]

Pilots just love temporarily restricted air space!

[Check6]

Just another unfortunate result of open borders and the loss of the America we once knew: can't trust our own citizens. Freedom down, down, down. Thanks, liberals. Thanks a lot.

[Archangelsk]

ALWAYS, ALWAYS call for a briefing from Flight Service before departing. They have the latest TFRs and a briefing covers your ass if you inadvertently blunder into a 'pop-up'. The number is 1-800-WX-BRIEF.

[Aeronaut]

Ping to the G.A. list.

General Aviation Ping list. FReep mail me if you want on or off this list.

[Big Giant Head]

Hmmm. The two F-16s couldn't get his attention? They needed flares? Check that pilot's blood alcohol level

Or, check to see if his aircraft has a radio, maybe? A little common sense is in order here. Many aircraft don't have electrical systems.

However, pilot error for not knowing the TFRs because if he would have called a flight briefer before launch they would have told him. A flight plan would be a good idea also.

[expatpat]

Oh, yeah. The permanent ones we can deal with -- the temporary ones are hidden away in short-term notams. If you don't get a weather briefing on a CAVU day, or FSS doesn't tell you when you do.......

[Criminal Number 18F]

Sounds to me like that pilot needs to have his license pulled.

Lots of VFR day-only pilots who like to putt around never, ever check the NOTAMs. Since the establishment of the TFR system, they really ought to. TFRs can pop up with no notice, and when the Democratic candidate(s) request SS protection, they will all get TFRs on all their travels as well. It's becoming a prestige thing among members of the Nomenklatura.

Also, some corporations have been able to get TFRs around their businesses by judicious application of money to corrupt politicians -- notably Disney and the NFL. In the case of these two, the purpose is to lock in an advertising monopoly. Maybe the Bush administration isn't for sale, but the TSA and the DOT definitely are.

This guy will most likely lose his licence for a period and get some remedial training -- even if nothing else is wrong with his paperwork. Was he ever any threat? Of course not. The TSA is chasing guys like this, and making airline crewmen take off their shoes (that's brilliant... it keeps the pilots from taking control of the plane from themselves), and you can guarantee that any terrorist with above Richard Reid's room-temp IQ will catch them napping.

The TSA is not about security, it's about jobs for unemployable welfare cases from the director on down.

d.o.l.

Criminal Number 18F