NPR

If Trump Is Traveling And A Pilot Strays, Fighter Jets Will Follow

Traveling U.S. presidents get a flight restriction with a radius that spans 30 nautical miles. When pilots fly inside that airspace, they risk being intercepted by the Air Force.
The Massachusetts Civil Air Patrol and the 104th Fighter Wing participate in an alert scramble exercise at Barnes Air National Guard Base in Westfield, Mass.

A lone, single-engine Cessna airplane enters restricted airspace. The pilot ignores air traffic control, so the plane stays on course. That's when the F-16 fighter jet shows up outside the window with a warning call that blares over the radio: "You've been intercepted." This is what happened during a by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, and conducted by the and the Colorado Air National Guard.

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from NPR

NPR6 min readCrime & Violence
What's At Stake As The Supreme Court Hears Idaho Case About Abortion In Emergencies
The Supreme Court will consider the question: Should doctors treating pregnancy complications follow state or federal law if the laws conflict? Here's how the case could affect women and doctors.
NPR5 min readAmerican Government
First Day Of Trump's Hush Money Trial Kicks Off With Opening Statements And A Witness
The prosecution is arguing that Donald Trump wanted to keep information out of the public fearing that it would turn off voters in 2016. The defense argues Trump did nothing illegal.
NPR5 min read
Sleep Training: Life Preserver For Parents Or "Symptom Of Capitalism"?
Well, I'm back. After a lengthy parental leave, when publication of the Planet Money newsletter decreased in frequency, I'm now working full-time and the newsletter will go back to being published weekly. As always, I will continue to do my best to

Related Books & Audiobooks