Another Intercept, but this time it's different

I am sure we are all getting tired of the constant topics about intercepts,
but I feel this one is a little different.

Now it appears they are intercepting small planes for getting close to
restricted airspace. That's right, not busting through the airspace, but
getting close to it. I know we can not put much faith in the story's from
the media, but if this is even close to the facts, it is rediculous. So
what the heck...


Full story is below...
and here is the actual link:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,157833,00.html

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Small Plane Intercepted Near Air Force Base

PALMDALE, Calif. — A small plane that repeatedly ventured close to
restricted air space at Edwards Air Force Base was intercepted by two F-15
fighter jets Thursday and escorted to a local airport. The FBI was
interviewing the pilot and a passenger, officials said.

The twin-engine Aero Commander plane was spotted flying in the high desert
north of Los Angeles for several hours during the afternoon at about 18,000
feet and could not be identified or contacted by the Federal Aviation
Administration, agency spokesman Donn Walker said.

The plane approached restricted air space several times and the FAA
notified Western Air Defense, which scrambled military jets, officials
said.

The aircraft was escorted to Palmdale Airport, FBI spokeswoman Laura
Eimiller said. It wasn't immediately clear why the pilot didn't respond or
what the plane was doing near the air base.

The pilot and passenger were being interviewed at an FBI satellite office
in Lancaster, Eimiller said.

A person who answered the phone at Palmdale Airport declined to comment.

--
Mike Flyin'8
PP-ASEL
Temecula, CA
http://flying.4alexanders.com

Is this intercept of an aircraft that hadn't breached restricted
airspace a reaction to the rather late intercept of the Cessna 150 in
DC?

On 27 May 2005 15:04:06 GMT, wrote in
::

The pilot and passenger were being interviewed at an FBI satellite office
in Lancaster, Eimiller said.

There doesn't seem to have been probable cause to divert this flight
nor detain the pilot and his passengers. Also, why would the pilot
submit to interrogation in this instance if he knew he hadn't entered
Restricted airspace? I suppose that if he didn't, our government
would have labeled him an Enemy Combatant, and taken him Syria for
further interrogation. :-(

This government 'security' activity just keeps getting curiouser and
curiouser. Bureaucratic fear and overreaction are leading to
citizens' complete loss of civil rights. Appalling.

I thought he went above 18000 feet and not talking to approach.and that was
why they detained him. I hope they at least paid for his fuel.
"Larry Dighera" wrote in message
...

Is this intercept of an aircraft that hadn't breached restricted
airspace a reaction to the rather late intercept of the Cessna 150 in
DC?

On 27 May 2005 15:04:06 GMT, wrote in
::

The pilot and passenger were being interviewed at an FBI satellite office
in Lancaster, Eimiller said.

There doesn't seem to have been probable cause to divert this flight
nor detain the pilot and his passengers. Also, why would the pilot
submit to interrogation in this instance if he knew he hadn't entered
Restricted airspace? I suppose that if he didn't, our government
would have labeled him an Enemy Combatant, and taken him Syria for
further interrogation. :-(

This government 'security' activity just keeps getting curiouser and
curiouser. Bureaucratic fear and overreaction are leading to
citizens' complete loss of civil rights. Appalling.

According to the story, which we all know how accurate those can be, he was
"NEAR" 18000, I read that as 17,999 and not 18,001. Benefit of the doubt
to him, especially given the accuracy of the equipment.

"aluckyguess" wrote:
I thought he went above 18000 feet and not talking to approach.and that
was why they detained him. I hope they at least paid for his fuel.

--
Mike Flyin'8
PP-ASEL
Temecula, CA
http://flying.4alexanders.com

wrote in message
...
According to the story, which we all know how accurate those can be, he
was
"NEAR" 18000, I read that as 17,999 and not 18,001.

Class A starts at 18000, but the buffer is 500 feet.

Benefit of the doubt
to him, especially given the accuracy of the equipment.

Bust an altitude by 500 feet and see how much benefit of the doubt they give
you.

"Matt Barrow" wrote:
wrote in message
...
According to the story, which we all know how accurate those can be, he
was
"NEAR" 18000, I read that as 17,999 and not 18,001.

Class A starts at 18000, but the buffer is 500 feet.

Benefit of the doubt
to him, especially given the accuracy of the equipment.

Bust an altitude by 500 feet and see how much benefit of the doubt they
give you.

Was not aware there was any buffer, but not surprised I guess. My point
being that noone "in the know" has said he busted the 18K mark nor did not
stray into the restricted airspace. So... why scramble F15's to intercept?
Sounds like someone is loosing it. I fly near restricted airspace all the
time, granted I don't loiter, but noone says I can't loiter outside
restricted airspace. Guess I need to revisit where I fly less I be shot
down.

--
Mike Flyin'8
PP-ASEL
Temecula, CA
http://flying.4alexanders.com

wrote:
According to the story, which we all know how accurate those can be, he was
"NEAR" 18000, I read that as 17,999 and not 18,001. Benefit of the doubt
to him, especially given the accuracy of the equipment.

This is Edwards AFB. The accuracy of military radar is along the lines of "He's
at 18,027' 1", Captain."

George Patterson
Why do men's hearts beat faster, knees get weak, throats become dry,
and they think irrationally when a woman wears leather clothing?
Because she smells like a new truck.

Yeah... Did not think about that fact...


On Sat, 28 May 2005 01:59:38 GMT, George Patterson
wrote:

wrote:
According to the story, which we all know how accurate those can be, he was
"NEAR" 18000, I read that as 17,999 and not 18,001. Benefit of the doubt
to him, especially given the accuracy of the equipment.

This is Edwards AFB. The accuracy of military radar is along the lines of "He's
at 18,027' 1", Captain."

George Patterson
Why do men's hearts beat faster, knees get weak, throats become dry,
and they think irrationally when a woman wears leather clothing?
Because she smells like a new truck.


Mike Alexander
PP-ASEL
Temecula, CA
See my online aerial photo album at
http://flying.4alexanders.com

From what the ATC can see its more like: 17,900 or 18000 feet.. the
Mode C encodes in 100 ft increments

Dave

wrote:

According to the story, which we all know how accurate those can be, he was
"NEAR" 18000, I read that as 17,999 and not 18,001. Benefit of the doubt
to him, especially given the accuracy of the equipment.

"aluckyguess" wrote:

I thought he went above 18000 feet and not talking to approach.and that
was why they detained him. I hope they at least paid for his fuel.

Dave S wrote:
From what the ATC can see its more like: 17,900 or 18000 feet.. the
Mode C encodes in 100 ft increments

Except this wasn't ATC. This was the U.S.A.F..

George Patterson
Why do men's hearts beat faster, knees get weak, throats become dry,
and they think irrationally when a woman wears leather clothing?
Because she smells like a new truck.