Fri, May 30, 2014
Says Taxpayers Spend Millions On Intercept Flights, Infrastructure
NORAD says that it is going out to intercept pilots who have violated restricted airspace more than once per week, and it is costing the taxpayers millions of dollars.
The agency says that the number of incidents is down in recent years because of better outreach programs, but the current level is about what the agency expects into the foreseeable future.
Most intercepts are violations of TRFs, which can crop up on short notice. While more aircraft are being equipped with glass panels that will warn pilots of a TFR on their route of flight, obviously that technology is far from ubiquitous. Steven Armstrong, a NORAD official, said that many pilots are not aware of a TFR being posted, particularly when flying from uncontrolled airports on a flight that requires no flight plan. But showing what appears to be a lack of understanding about GA, he told the Associated Press "They just take off and do what they want."
Why yes ... yes they do.
Armstrong said that intercept flights cost between $10,000 and $20,000 to operate, and alert facilities are budgeted at about $7 million per year. The agency would not say how many alert facilities it currently operates, but at their post-9/11 peak, there were about 26 around the country.
Armstrong said that most pilots who are about to stray into restricted airspace get a warning over the radio, and that is usually enough to get them away from where the government has decided they don't need to be. The agency follows some 1,800 "tracks of interest" each year. He said that if a pilot does not respond to a radio call, the fighters are scrambled before they reach the restricted area if possible. Still, some don't respond to the sight of a jet rocking its wings near their airplane, and require an escort out of the area.
Those pilots are usually in for a session with local and federal law enforcement officials. While few face criminal charges, the FAA can take action up to the suspension of airman privileges.
More News
Instrument Runway A runway equipped with electronic and visual navigation aids for which a precision or nonprecision approach procedure having straight-in landing minimums has been>[...]
Aero Linx: Alaska Airmen's Association The Alaska Airmen's Association includes over 2,000 members—we are one of the largest General Aviation communities in the country. We s>[...]
Also: Flt School Security, G600 Steep-Approach, Honduran Aid, PW545D Cert Two aircraft performing at the Fort Lauderdale Air Show clipped wings during a routine last Sunday, spooki>[...]
Also: SkyReach Parts Support, Piper Service Ctr, Airliner Near-Miss, Airshow London The Judge overseeing Icon's convoluted Chapter 11 process has approved $9 million in Chapter 11 >[...]
Also: Paramotor Champ's, Electric Ultralight, ICON BK Update, Burt Rutan at Oshkosh! The Popular Rotorcraft Association is reaching out for help in rebuilding their private runway >[...]