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Fighter Jets Scrambled in CA to Intercept Plane that Lost Contact with ATC
Fighter Jets scramble to intercept a Cessna 172 (www.washingtonpost.com) Más...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
I live on the east coast. We routinely observe f-15's circling behind one of our local CAP 172's. Happens once every six months or so. They are strictly training missions. They inform no-one prior to the training, so it leaves the local media to it's messed up suppositions. I know the CAP pilot. He is based in a hangar next to mine. This training happens on the CONUS coastlines.
OK, so let's look at this rationally.
First, you don't get a flight track on Flightaware unless you're IFR or on flight following, and then sometimes the track isn't complete.
Second, the track shown in the referenced link is probably an IFR flight: it's complete, and the plane was at 6000 with little deviation for the whole way.
Third, check out the filed flight plan: it's airways and direct-VORs. Looks to me like a pretty standard coastal-IFR route from LA to the SF areas. I do that route when I want to watch the scenery.
Fourth, we don't even know if this is the plane that got scrambled on. Or if this plane's radios failed.
My bet -- something else was going on.
To me, it first seemed like another waste of government money. Or not. Maybe they were scheduled to do some type of flight training that day. Ever fly VFR through an active MOA? You could become a practice target doing that. But why chase a 172 off the central CA coast (unless the plane infringed Vandenberg)?
We just don't know enough from this published story.
One day I was flying near Lemoore (Central CA Valley) on my way down to Las Vegas. The military treated me to an incredible dogfight, at one point corkscrewing from probably 20K feet down near the ground about two miles from me. The controller was nice enough to point these guys out to me and, I tell you what, it was a better show than the Blue Angels.
Were they also checking me out, or seeing how close they could come to me to do their maneuvers? Don't know. But I enjoyed it. And I asked the Joshua guys if they could match Lemoore's show!
First, you don't get a flight track on Flightaware unless you're IFR or on flight following, and then sometimes the track isn't complete.
Second, the track shown in the referenced link is probably an IFR flight: it's complete, and the plane was at 6000 with little deviation for the whole way.
Third, check out the filed flight plan: it's airways and direct-VORs. Looks to me like a pretty standard coastal-IFR route from LA to the SF areas. I do that route when I want to watch the scenery.
Fourth, we don't even know if this is the plane that got scrambled on. Or if this plane's radios failed.
My bet -- something else was going on.
To me, it first seemed like another waste of government money. Or not. Maybe they were scheduled to do some type of flight training that day. Ever fly VFR through an active MOA? You could become a practice target doing that. But why chase a 172 off the central CA coast (unless the plane infringed Vandenberg)?
We just don't know enough from this published story.
One day I was flying near Lemoore (Central CA Valley) on my way down to Las Vegas. The military treated me to an incredible dogfight, at one point corkscrewing from probably 20K feet down near the ground about two miles from me. The controller was nice enough to point these guys out to me and, I tell you what, it was a better show than the Blue Angels.
Were they also checking me out, or seeing how close they could come to me to do their maneuvers? Don't know. But I enjoyed it. And I asked the Joshua guys if they could match Lemoore's show!
Have you guys lost your marbles ? This is a news media article. New media, guys, remember ? For those of you who did not pay attention in junior high school social studies, the news media is in business to sell news that excites & makes sense to the general public, so they can sell advertising space.
That explains why, for so many years, anything that happened in aviation was reported as a "Piper Cub". The news media eventually "gets it" - you have to be patient...and pleased when they do "get it" - that is why I was relieved, for about half hour after the tragedy on 9-11-01, it was being reported that a "Cessna 150" ran into the Twin Towers.
So, guys - let's not try and make sense out of this nonsence.
Now - getting back to the real world, i have a question. Any of you guys fly VFR? My understanding is it could be as much as half a day before, if you miss reporting in that you've landed on a VFR flight plan, before they notify SAR.
As for IFR, after that funny incident in the north plains, it is my understanding that if you fail to respond after about 20 mins. or so, and/or miss your next "hand-over", SOME kind of paperwork can be generated. I dont know for sure. I personally make it a practice that if it is a slow day, and I DONT hear anyone on the frequencies I am assigned (and/or handed off to) I call em up and say "hi".
Hopefully, SOMEONE reading these posts 1) actually DOES know what they are talking about and 2) will enlighten us.
That explains why, for so many years, anything that happened in aviation was reported as a "Piper Cub". The news media eventually "gets it" - you have to be patient...and pleased when they do "get it" - that is why I was relieved, for about half hour after the tragedy on 9-11-01, it was being reported that a "Cessna 150" ran into the Twin Towers.
So, guys - let's not try and make sense out of this nonsence.
Now - getting back to the real world, i have a question. Any of you guys fly VFR? My understanding is it could be as much as half a day before, if you miss reporting in that you've landed on a VFR flight plan, before they notify SAR.
As for IFR, after that funny incident in the north plains, it is my understanding that if you fail to respond after about 20 mins. or so, and/or miss your next "hand-over", SOME kind of paperwork can be generated. I dont know for sure. I personally make it a practice that if it is a slow day, and I DONT hear anyone on the frequencies I am assigned (and/or handed off to) I call em up and say "hi".
Hopefully, SOMEONE reading these posts 1) actually DOES know what they are talking about and 2) will enlighten us.
The article states that radio contact was lost somewhere near Ventura which would indicate the pilot was well clear of the Los Angeles Bravo airspace. Along that route of flight are a couple of restricted areas, one adjacent to Pt. Mugu NAS (which is very close to the Ventura VOR). Further north there is restricted airspace overlying Vanderburg AFB. The last restricted airspace he could have encountered is R2513 just inland from Big Sur. If he remained clear of these restricted areas and didn't blow through any Class C or D airspace he wouldn't be required to talk to anybody until he was approaching Monterey.
Yep!
you are assuming he was VFR and NOT on "Flight Following". Did you know that some of us use "Flight Following" and/or IFR pretty much ANY time we are more than 50 ft. from a rest-room?
See my post above. You are trying to make sense out of something reported in the commercial news media. That is just plain nuts.
Hopefully, someone who 1) DOES know what they are talking about and 2) is not the least bit interested, AND places ABSOLUTELY NO VALUE ON crap he or she saw in some news media article, will get in here and tell us what is REALLY going on.
Now - for those of you who like "conspiracy theories" - how about this. SOME of us believe that TSA/HOMELAND SECURITY is already a dangerous, over-grown monster, that is trying to gain more power, influence and budget authority. I have heard rumors they are even starting to set up road-blocks on highways to inspect surface traffic. If any of THAT is correct, it would not surprise me if they are trying to prove they are better at "fighting for our freedoms and protecting us" than current FAA proceedures - and maybe it was THEM who got military aircraft involved?
Ahhh...the joys of being ignorant, getting partial info. from even more ignorant people, and coming to conclusions without knowing or caring what the REAL WORLD facts were......!
See my post above. You are trying to make sense out of something reported in the commercial news media. That is just plain nuts.
Hopefully, someone who 1) DOES know what they are talking about and 2) is not the least bit interested, AND places ABSOLUTELY NO VALUE ON crap he or she saw in some news media article, will get in here and tell us what is REALLY going on.
Now - for those of you who like "conspiracy theories" - how about this. SOME of us believe that TSA/HOMELAND SECURITY is already a dangerous, over-grown monster, that is trying to gain more power, influence and budget authority. I have heard rumors they are even starting to set up road-blocks on highways to inspect surface traffic. If any of THAT is correct, it would not surprise me if they are trying to prove they are better at "fighting for our freedoms and protecting us" than current FAA proceedures - and maybe it was THEM who got military aircraft involved?
Ahhh...the joys of being ignorant, getting partial info. from even more ignorant people, and coming to conclusions without knowing or caring what the REAL WORLD facts were......!
Ok I'll shut up now.
No, don't shut up. Peter is a self-righteous jerk who should go work for the NTSB if he's so concerned.
Colin - i do not recall indicating i am "concerned" about news media articles about aviation. Nor do I recall expressing an interest in government employment.
Stuartsm - i do not recall asking you to shut up. I do recall you making some assumptions in here, which you admit you got from news media. It is a free country. Each of us should feel free to make public as wild a set of nonsensical assumptions as thir personal needs require.
In my case, i do not have enough experience in aviation to compete with you fine folks - I have only been flying up and down the California cost, (amongst other places) often IFR, mostly Flight Following since that was established, since the late 1950's....so what do I know...
Stuartsm - i do not recall asking you to shut up. I do recall you making some assumptions in here, which you admit you got from news media. It is a free country. Each of us should feel free to make public as wild a set of nonsensical assumptions as thir personal needs require.
In my case, i do not have enough experience in aviation to compete with you fine folks - I have only been flying up and down the California cost, (amongst other places) often IFR, mostly Flight Following since that was established, since the late 1950's....so what do I know...
Peter, its guys like you that take the fun out of conversing on the Internet. I understand the burden you are carrying, its a huge job to be right all of the time. I would be willing to bet that you are a pretty good guy in person and we could enjoy talking flying together. On this board, not so much. Over and out.
Damn right ! I am a hell of a nice guy - incredibly charming and sweet-dispositioned.
Seriously, the only post in this "thread" I have seen that I suspect is close to the reality that started this thread.... is the first one, asking "IS THIS A TEST"....?
It scares me that he's on to something - falls in line with the "conspiracy theory" I expressed in an above post.
Stuart - sorry you feel that my criticism "takes the fun out". Grow some thicker skin. Best way to avoid criticism for silly posts is not contribute to the sillyness - by relying on public news media for assumptions.
Again, making assumptions about aviation, based on public media, is, in my view, just plain silly. Bad enough that the non-flying public has to read that crap and makes their assumptions from it - not clear why we need to rely on it in a legit forum primarily for legit aviation folks.
Seriously, the only post in this "thread" I have seen that I suspect is close to the reality that started this thread.... is the first one, asking "IS THIS A TEST"....?
It scares me that he's on to something - falls in line with the "conspiracy theory" I expressed in an above post.
Stuart - sorry you feel that my criticism "takes the fun out". Grow some thicker skin. Best way to avoid criticism for silly posts is not contribute to the sillyness - by relying on public news media for assumptions.
Again, making assumptions about aviation, based on public media, is, in my view, just plain silly. Bad enough that the non-flying public has to read that crap and makes their assumptions from it - not clear why we need to rely on it in a legit forum primarily for legit aviation folks.