Fighter Jets Force Down a Cessna

alphaone

alphaone

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http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2009/12/ap_aircraft_forced_down_123109/

Jets force down small aircraft in Florida

The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Dec 31, 2009 17:35:42 EST

BROOKSVILLE, Fla. — Authorities say military jets forced down a plane being flown by a French pilot, who was advised to not get behind the controls of the aircraft because he could not speak in English with officials.

According to the Hernando County Sheriff's Office, the pilot, who owned the Cessna plane, grew indignant when a certified instructor recommended he remain on the ground Wednesday. The pilot disregarded the warning and took off from the Hernando County Airport in Brooksville.

John Cornelio, a spokesman for North American Aerospace Defense Command, said two fighter jets were dispatched to turn around the pilot, who landed at a South Florida airfield.

The sheriff's office says the pilot won't face criminal charges.

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For those who know, how do the fighter guys find the cessna they are looking for?
 
alphaone said:
For those who know, how do the fighter guys find the cessna they are looking for?
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If he's squaking 1200 I would imagine it's pretty easy.

My question is if someone really wanted to not be found would slowing down a whole lot get him beneath a speed gate in an aircraft's radar?
 
Best part is how another source:

"A single-engine plane forced down by military jets after it took off from a Brooksville airport on Wednesday afternoon was not stolen and the pilot, a French citizen, broke no laws, authorities said.
The owner and pilot of the Cessna 425, identified as Jean-Claude Courtois, was licensed to operate the aircraft, Hernando County sheriff's spokeswoman Sgt. Donna Black said.
A certified instructor with the pilot suggested he should contact another instructor to improve certain flying skills. The instructor also noted that Courtois shouldn't fly the plane because he didn't speak English and couldn't communicate with anyone on the ground or in the air, Black said.
A translator explained the instructor's suggestion to the pilot, but the pilot became indignant and took off in the plane anyway, Black said.
Courtois was licensed to fly the aircraft, but the instructor was concerned that his training might not be adequate so he notified airport officials in Tampa and Miami, according to a sheriff's office report.
Two F-15 fighter jets were sent about 3:30 p.m. to intercept the plane. The jets, which flew out of a military base at Homestead, were sent because the pilot refused to respond to air traffic controllers, said Air Force Capt. Sharbe Clark with the North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD.
The Cessna landed at Everglades Jet Park in Collier County, near the Dade County line, about an hour later.
Clark said the pilot was met by local authorities but didn't know if the person was arrested.
Officials with the Federal Aviation Authority are continuing to investigate the incident."

How bout those single engine Conquests :)
 
After reading the title, I thought that somewhere in the story it was going to include the word "missiles." :<
 
TallFlyer said:
My question is if someone really wanted to not be found would slowing down a whole lot get him beneath a speed gate in an aircraft's radar?
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I am not sure about this whole speed gate deal...but I sure would love to see an F-16 attempt flight at 35 knots. :D
 
French pilot having trouble communicating with ATC... there's a new one!
 
So was he REALLY in a 425? Did he get intercepted because he busted airspace, or because the CFI tattled on him? Why the hell did he go flying if he can't talk good English?
 
Roger said:
So was he REALLY in a 425? Did he get intercepted because he busted airspace, or because the CFI tattled on him? Why the hell did he go flying if he can't talk good English?
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In the guys defense, we all know radio calls aren't mandatory in E/G airspace
 
Anybody know what time this happened or what airfield he landed at?
I have a family member who saw 2 or 3 fighter jets in formation yesterday around noon, not too far away from brooksville maybe 50-60 miles away
 
TallFlyer said:
If he's squaking 1200 I would imagine it's pretty easy.

My question is if someone really wanted to not be found would slowing down a whole lot get him beneath a speed gate in an aircraft's radar?
Click to expand...

I talked to a controller at ANC a while back, and he told me that if it was above the trees and moving at 30kts+ they could see it. I don't know how accurate that was, but he sure seemed sure.
 
Let me get this straight here.

The pilot broke no laws. He won't be charged with anything.

And yet, they sent fighters up to force him down? Uh, exactly what did he do wrong? He went flying even though an instructor didn't think he should?

That's cause to scramble fighters these days?
 
ppragman said:
I talked to a controller at ANC a while back, and he told me that if it was above the trees and moving at 30kts+ they could see it. I don't know how accurate that was, but he sure seemed sure.
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You'd be surprised what NORAD can see, even in rural Canada.
 
tonyw said:
Let me get this straight here.

The pilot broke no laws. He won't be charged with anything.

And yet, they sent fighters up to force him down? Uh, exactly what did he do wrong? He went flying even though an instructor didn't think he should?

That's cause to scramble fighters these days?
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:yeahthat:

Obviously, I don't have all the details, but from what I've heard this sounds totally unnecessary.
 
TUCKnTRUCK said:
Not in a 425.
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True, but the initial story didn't make it sound like a 425, but rather a smaller single.

ppragman said:
I talked to a controller at ANC a while back, and he told me that if it was above the trees and moving at 30kts+ they could see it. I don't know how accurate that was, but he sure seemed sure.
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But is that the secondary return or are they getting skin paints with a primary radar somewhere? If someone gets out there with a J-3 and no transponder and starts slow flying above the trees could someone see him?
 
TallFlyer said:
True, but the initial story didn't make it sound like a 425, but rather a smaller single.

But is that the secondary return or are they getting skin paints with a primary radar somewhere? If someone gets out there with a J-3 and no transponder and starts slow flying above the trees could someone see him?
Click to expand...

I dunno, but he made it seem that way.
 
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