Intercept Latest In Series Of Unusual Events

One wonders if the pilot of a Cessna 337 Skymaster, who was "greeted" by two Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18 Hornets Saturday after he flew into restricted airspace, has been able to slow his heartbeat yet.

The Sydney Morning-Herald reports the aircraft violated a 45 nautical-mile-wide no-incursion zone over the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.

"We requested the RAAF to go and find out their intentions when we couldn't get any contact on the radio," the Airservices Australia spokesman said.

The 337 was escorted by the Hornets to Bankston Airport, where officials questioned the pilot, identified as David Brown, at length, before releasing him.

As exciting as things must have been in the air, however, it was also a shocking display for those who witnessed the intercept from their homes in Penrith.

"These two fighter jets come out in the middle of nowhere and were flying flares at it," a witness told Macquarie Radio. "Right over the top of Penrith, it was amazing. I've never seen anything like it."

The Morning Herald called the event a "fitting finale" to the APEC conference, which saw its share of odd and unusual security incidents -- some aviation-related, others not.

The military reportedly ordered two hot air balloons to make emergency landings after they strayed a bit too close to Richmond air base Friday morning. One landed in a field, the other in a housing development near Kellyville.

"We were waiting for them to send in the F/A-18s," joked John Allen, one of the balloon pilots.

Internal affairs officers are also looking into the alleged lack of name tags for some police officers during protests. 

FMI: www.defence.gov.au/raaf/, www.apec2007.org/