Trump airspace often violated

Eleven aircraft violated restricted airspace during President Donald Trump’s holiday visit to Mar-a-Lago, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

Two F-16 fighter jets intercepted a private plane that veered into restricted airspace Sunday about 29 nautical miles from Palm Beach, said Michael Kucharek, a spokesman for the North American Aerospace Defense Command.

The fighter jets based at Homestead Air Reserve Station intercepted the plane at 4:24 p.m. and escorted it to the North Palm

Beach County Airport near Palm Beach Gardens, Kucharek said.

That was the only plane intercepted by military jets during Trump’s visit from Dec. 22 to Jan. 1 , according to NORAD.

Often, pilots entering restricted airspace quickly realize they have veered off course and correct their track, Kucharek said.

In this case, the plane did not have contact with air traffic control and was flying directly through the restricted zone, he said.

“That’s when we get concerned,” Kucharek said.

Erick Paulson, a pilot based at the North Palm Beach County Airport, said he saw the fighter jets scrambling overhead when his aircraft was parked on the tarmac.

Other than some minor delays, Paulson said the restrictions haven’t had much of an effect on pilots at the North Palm Beach County Airport, but the scene on Sunday gave him pause.

“My heart kind of a skipped a beat because I thought, ‘Did I do something wrong?’” Paulson said. “There are signs and posters that say, ‘Don’t be that pilot.’ There really isn’t an excuse for not knowing.”

Pilots violating air restrictions are questioned by Secret Service and law enforcement, Kucharek said. The FAA determines if pilots flying into restricted airspace will face civil penalties or criminal charges.

Violators are subject to criminal charges punishable by up to a year in prison and $100,000 fines, according to the FAA. The agency can also take administrative action, issuing fines of $1,437 per violation for pilots and suspending licenses.

Arlene Salac, an FAA spokeswoman, declined to elaborate about the violations.

Since Trump was elected, dozens of pilots have violated air restrictions around Mar-a-Lago. In 2017, fighter jets intercepted a dozen planes, and U.S. Coast Guard helicopters intercepted three more, according to NORAD.

Last February, two Air Force F-15s hit supersonic speeds to intercept an aircraft, causing a sonic boom that residents heard from Broward to Palm Beach counties.

Federal agencies are trying to educate the aviation community about the presidential airspace restrictions, but ultimately, pilots are responsible for staying out of restricted areas, Kucharek said.