4. How does this math work with a kingair? When should we be evacuating
people? (or what's the point)

CNN.com has a transcript of an interview with the lead F16 pilot.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/05/12/cnn...ann/index.html

I think this clarifies some of the questions about the potential
effectiveness of the intercept procedures when dealing with something faster
than a 152. The pilot states that a) before they intercepted the 152 there
was already a US Customs aircraft off it's wing (I'm assuming that's the
citation referred to in other reports) and b) that he established radar
contact with the 152 immediately after takeoff. So while the F16's did not
establish visual contact with the 152 until 15 miles from the White House,
it looks like the Customs aircraft had already been there for some time and
had already determined that the 152 was not a likely threat. I think if the
plane was determined to be a threat the F16's could have shot it down with a
radar guided missile long before 15 miles from the White House.

The main problem, I think, is that there appears to be a disconnect between
the intercepting aircraft and controllers and the people on the ground who
ordered the panicked evacuation.

- Ray