President Obama calls Air Force One flyover 'mistake' day after low-flying plane terrifies New York

The NY Daily News ^ | April 28th 2009 | Christina Boyle

[Scanian]

President Barack Obama admitted Tuesday it was "a mistake" to send a Boeing 747 and an F-16 fighter jet buzzing over lower Manhattan.

Speaking before a meeting at FBI headquarters in Washington, Obama said he was as in the dark as everyone else about the photo op fly-by, but made no secret of his disapproval.

"It was a mistake, as was stated," Obama said. "And it will not happen again."

Obama did not specifically apologize, although the White House military director did on Monday.

The president declined to answer a reporter's question on whether Louis Caldera, director of the White House Military Office, was the right person for the job.

Caldera, 53, is a West Point graduate and a lawyer. He was secretary of the Army during the Clinton administration and previously was a California state lawmaker.

Hundreds of office workers were gripped by panic Monday, as they watched a jumbo jet circle the financial district for half an hour, followed closely by a fighter jet.

Buildings were evacuated, people fled for cover and others stared at the sky in disbelief, fearing a repeat of 9/11.

Mayor Bloomberg said he was also unaware the fly-by was taking place - which later turned out to be an "aerial photo mission" authorized by Caldera.

Caldera hastily apologized Monday and a City Hall deputy, Marc Mugnos, who had been given advance notice, was reprimanded for failing to inform the mayor.

Sources said the reason for the stunt was to create souvenir pictures of a customized Boeing 747, which serves as Air Force One when the president is aboard.

[Scanian]

"Obama did not specifically apologize"

Of course not. He reserves apologies for foreigners.

[Sig Sauer P220]

I call Obama a mistake several times every day.

[knarf]

Yeahright ... this zero can make wise decisions .... umhum ..... sure.

[Doogle]

[LottieDah]

A mistake? President G.W. Bush was pounded mercilessly for the “Mission Accomplished” sign that crew members had hanging during his visit. Zero had better come up with more than just a hollow apology.

[Dallas59]

"...it will not happen again..."

At least not with a 747...

[avacado]

"Obama said he was as in the dark as everyone else about the photo op fly-by.."

Wonderful...

The Idiot in Chief is unaware that a jumbo-jet 747 is buzzing the skyscrapers of Manhattan. Call the MSM! This is a lead story!

[massgopguy]

Is there a photo where the tail number is clearly seen? AF-1 is 28000 or 29000. These planes are the remote controls for a full scale nuclear war. You don’t not know where it is.

[TigersEye]

Obama said he was as in the dark as everyone else about the photo op fly-by, but made no secret of his disapproval.

Then you're too incompetent to run a hot dog stand.

[Marysecretary]

Obambi doesn’t have a clue. 911 didn’t exist for him.

[keats5]

Funny, stuff like this never happened with other Presidents.

[blackbart.223]

It sure is.

[Yosemitest]

For those who want to know,

Obama is laughing is A$$ off
at those stupid New Yorkers running like rabbits
from a CONSTITUTIONALLY UNQUALLIFIED MUZZL'EM Piece Of Socialism!!!

---

Order JO 7110.65S
Air Traffic Control
February 14, 2008
This web version contains Change 1, dated 7/31/2008

(Pertinent Excerpts)

2-1-1. ATC SERVICE (page 2-1-1)


The primary purpose of the ATC system is to prevent a collision between aircraft operating in the system and to organize and expedite the flow of traffic, and to provide support for National Security and Homeland Defense. In addition to its primary function, the ATC system has the capability to provide (with certain limitations) additional services. The ability to provide additional services is limited by many factors, such as the volume of traffic, frequency congestion, quality of radar, controller workload, higher priority duties, and the pure physical inability to scan and detect those situations that fall in this category. It is recognized that these services cannot be provided in cases in which the provision of services is precluded by the above factors. Consistent with the aforementioned conditions, controllers shall provide additional service procedures to the extent permitted by higher priority duties and other circumstances. The provision of additional services is not optional on the part of the controller, but rather is required when the work situation permits. Provide air traffic control service in accordance with .....

2-1-2. DUTY PRIORITY



a. Give first priority to separating aircraft and issuing safety alerts as required in this order. Good judgment shall be used in prioritizing all other provisions of this order based on the requirements of the situation at hand.
REFERENCE-
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 2-1-6, Safety Alert.
NOTE-
Because there are many variables involved, it is virtually impossible to develop a standard list of duty priorities that would apply uniformly to every conceivable situation. Each set of circumstances must be evaluated on its own merit, and when more than one action is required, controllers shall exercise their best judgment based on the facts and circumstances known to them. That action which is most critical from a safety standpoint is performed first.
b. Provide support to national security and homeland defense activities to include, but not be limited to, reporting of suspicious and/or unusual aircraft/pilot activities.
REFERENCE-
FAAO JO 7610.4, Special Operations.
c. Provide additional services to the extent possible, contingent only upon higher priority duties and other factors including limitations of radar, volume of traffic, frequency congestion, and workload.


2-1-4. OPERATIONAL PRIORITY(page 2-1-2)
Provide air traffic control service to aircraft on a “first come, first served" basis as circumstances permit, except the following:
NOTE-
It is solely the pilot's prerogative to cancel an IFR flight plan. However, a pilot's retention of an IFR flight plan does not afford priority over VFR aircraft. For example, this does not preclude the requirement for the pilot of an arriving IFR aircraft to adjust his/her flight path, as necessary, to enter a traffic pattern in sequence with arriving VFR aircraft.
a. An aircraft in distress has the right of way over all other air traffic.
REFERENCE-
14 CFR Section 91.113(c).
b. Provide priority to civilian air ambulance flights “LIFEGUARD." Air carrier/taxi usage of the “LIFEGUARD" call sign, indicates that operational priority is requested. When verbally requested, provide priority to military air evacuation flights (AIR EVAC, MED EVAC) and scheduled air carrier/air taxi flights. Assist the pilots of air ambulance/evacuation aircraft to avoid areas of significant weather and turbulent conditions. When requested by a pilot, provide notifications to expedite ground handling of patients, vital organs, or urgently needed medical materials.
NOTE-
It is recognized that heavy traffic flow may affect the controller's ability to provide priority handling. However, without compromising safety, good judgment shall be used in each situation to facilitate the most expeditious movement of a lifeguard aircraft.
c. Provide maximum assistance to SAR aircraft performing a SAR mission.
REFERENCE-
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 10-1-3, Providing Assistance.
d. Expedite the movement of presidential aircraft and entourage and any rescue support aircraft as well as related control messages when traffic conditions and communications facilities permit.
NOTE-
As used herein the terms presidential aircraft and entourage include aircraft and entourage of the President, Vice President, or other public figures when designated by the White House.
REFERENCE-
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 2-4-20, Aircraft Identification.
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 4-3-2, Departure Clearances.
FAAO JO 7210.3, Para 5-1-1, Advance Coordination.
e. Provide special ...


4-3-2. DEPARTURE CLEARANCES (page 4-3-1)
Include the following items in IFR departure clearances:
NOTE-
When considered necessary, controllers or pilots may initiate read backs of a clearance. Some pilots may be required by company rule to do so.
a. Always include the airport of departure when issuing a departure clearance for relay to an aircraft by an FSS, dispatcher, etc.
b. Clearance Limit.

1. Specify the destination airport when practicable, even though it is outside controlled airspace. Issue short range clearances as provided for in any procedures established for their use.
2. For Air Force One (AF1) operations, do not specify the destination airport.
NOTE-
Presidential detail is responsible for ensuring the accuracy of the destination airport.
PHRASEOLOGY-
DESTINATION AS FILED.

Order JO 7210.3V

Chapter 5. Special Flight Handling
Section 1. Presidential Aircraft

5-1-1. ADVANCE COORDINATION (Pages 5-1-1 thru 5-1-3)
NOTE- Presidential aircraft and entourage, referred to herein, include aircraft and entourage of the President, the Vice President, or other public figures designated by the White House.

a. An advance survey group comprised of representatives of the Office of the Military Assistant to the President, the U.S. Secret Service, the White House Staff, and a Presidential Advance Agent may visit each location which the Presidential aircraft will transit. The visit is normally made several days in advance of the trip to determine security aspects and the availability of supporting services. On this visit the group may meet with the airport operator, the ATCT manager, and other interested parties. Based on the evaluation by this group, a decision is made on the use of the airport, and further coordination is planned for an advance group.
b. The advance group, comprised of representatives of the same organizations stated in subpara a, will meet with the same airport elements to complete security measures and supporting services and determine the necessary restrictions to air traffic operations before the arrival and the departure of the Presidential aircraft and while the Presidential entourage is on the airport. The security provisions may include stationing a guard in the tower cab or at the tower entrance and maintaining two-way communications between the control tower and agents on the ground. This meeting will be held several days in advance of the planned arrival of the Presidential aircraft. The advance group has been requested to have all elements of the group coordinate with the FAA simultaneously.
1. The air traffic manager shall appoint an air traffic supervisor to serve as coordinator who will be responsible for attending all meetings and briefing all affected personnel. Additionally, the coordinator shall brief the ATCSCC and the appropriate ARTCC of any traffic delays or restrictions.
2. All advance coordination shall be documented, with special attention given to routes, radio frequencies, and assigned transponder codes. This documentation shall be made available to the personnel on duty who will be handling the Presidential movement.
3. The meeting shall be attended by the ATCT manager, the coordinator, and, if available, the supervisory specialist(s) who will be on duty and directly involved in the control of airport traffic during the arrival and departure, and while the Presidential entourage is on the airport.
4. The air traffic manager shall take whatever steps are necessary to ensure that the Presidential flight, airplanes, helicopters, and entourage are given priority. Restrictions will be placed upon normal air traffic operations to provide priority unless directed otherwise by the Presidential advance agent (USAF) or the Secret Service representative; the latter when the Presidential advance agent (USAF) is not directly involved. ATCT personnel shall be guided by the determinations of the advance group and shall cooperate to the maximum extent possible. The air traffic manager shall consider the following alternatives:

(a) Employing air traffic control techniques to temporarily adjust or suspend the movement of traffic to accommodate the arrival and the departure of the Presidential aircraft and while the Presidential entourage is on the airport.
(b) Requesting traffic, by NOTAM, to voluntarily conform to restrictions in the vicinity of an airport. The NOTAM shall give details of the restrictions and should be cleared by the advance group. It shall avoid any reference to Presidential activities and shall be issued at least 8 hours in advance.
EXAMPLE-
ALL TRAFFIC CAN EXPECT DELAYS FROM (date/ time) TO (date/time) AND FROM (date/time) TO (date/time).
(c) The time will normally be 15 minutes before to 15 minutes after the arrival and the departure time.

c. If the advance group determines that mandatory airspace restrictions are required, the Washington headquarters office of the U.S. Government agency responsible for the protection of the personage concerned will contact FAA Headquarters in accordance with established procedures and request the necessary regulatory action. The air traffic manager shall advise the Service Area office of the regulatory proposal. (See 14 CFR Section 91.141 and FAAO JO 7610.4, Special Operations.)
NOTE-
The actions established herein do not affect the provisions of 14 CFR Section 91.113(b); i.e., an aircraft in distress has the right-of-way over all other air traffic.
REFERENCE-
FAAO 7930.2, Para 7-1-1, FDC NOTAM Categories.
d. To ensure radio communications and radar service, the following should be coordinated with the advance group:

1. All aircraft in the flight should be assigned a discrete transponder code. As a minimum, the lead aircraft and the aircraft containing the President should turn their transponders on when flying in formation. In the event of a formation breakup, all aircraft should squawk their assigned code to facilitate auto-acquire.
2. Normal frequencies are preferred over discrete frequencies.
NOTE-
Secret Service personnel will transmit progress reports on the Presidential entourage to the affected tower as soon as possible.
e. Prior to the actual operation, action shall be taken to ensure that all air traffic specialists who will be on duty during the arrival and departure of the Presidential aircraft are thoroughly briefed concerning the arrangements pertaining to the operation, including movements of the Presidential entourage while on the airport.

f. At military airports, the base commander will determine the restriction or delay of flight operations into that airport and the need to issue a NOTAM. He/she should coordinate his/her actions with the appropriate FAA facilities if air traffic will be affected.

5-1-2. MONITORING THE PRESIDENTIAL AIRCRAFT FLIGHT (Page 5-1-2)
a. Advance scheduled movement information of Presidential aircraft received from the White House shall be distributed to the air traffic manager of each facility through which the Presidential aircraft will transit. The air traffic manager will be notified of the scheduled movement by the appropriate Service Area office or, when time critical, by national headquarters through the ATCSCC.
b. Presidential aircraft shall be aurally and visually monitored by a supervisory specialist/controller- in-charge (CIC) from departure to arrival. The air traffic manager of each facility through which the Presidential aircraft transits shall ensure that a supervisory specialist/CIC aurally and visually monitors the aircraft while in the facility's airspace. The supervisory specialist/CIC shall:

1. Be present at each sector/position providing ATC service to the Presidential aircraft from the flight's entry in the facility's airspace until the flight exits the facility's airspace.
2. Aurally and visually monitor the flight to ensure that separation, control, and coordination are accomplished.
NOTE-
Supervisors and managers at FAA Contract Towers (FCT) are qualified to perform the duties required in para 5-1-2.


5-1-3. USE OF FAA COMMUNICATIONS CIRCUITS (Page 5-1-2)
Operations personnel shall expedite the movement of Presidential aircraft and related control messages when traffic conditions and communications facilities permit. Honor any request of the pilot concerning movement of the aircraft if the request can be fulfilled in accordance with existing control procedures. Also, honor any request of the pilot, Office of the Vice President, Secret Service, or White House Staff for the relay, via FAA communications circuits, of information regarding the movement or proposed movement of the aircraft.

5-1-4. SECURITY OF INFORMATION (Page 5-1-2)
FAA personnel shall not release any information concerning Presidential flights to anyone outside the FAA except properly identified White House staff members, Secret Service personnel, or appropriate military authorities. Any inquiries from the press or others for information regarding the movement of these aircraft shall be referred to the White House, the Secret Service, the Air Force, or their representatives at either the point of departure or arrival. These security measures also apply to information regarding the movement of Presidential or Vice Presidential family aircraft.

5-1-5. MOVEMENT INFORMATION (Page 5-1-3)
Honor any request of the pilot concerning movement of the Presidential aircraft if it can be fulfilled in accordance with existing control procedures. Also, honor any request of the pilot, Secret Service, White House Staff, or Office of the Vice President for the relay, via FAA communications circuits or Defense Switching Network (DSN), of information regarding the movement or the proposed movement of these aircraft.

5-1-6. COORDINATION (Page 5-1-3)
ARTCCs shall call CARF direct for ALTRV approval on any Presidential aircraft international flight plan received less than 4 hours before departure.

5-1-7. RESCUE SUPPORT AIRCRAFT (Page 5-1-3)
When rescue support aircraft are used, the aircraft will depart from various bases and will file flight plans which will place the aircraft on tracks in proximity of the Presidential aircraft for contingency purposes. Orbits may also be used by the rescue support aircraft. These aircraft will be identified in the remarks section of the flight plan as “Rescue” for purposes of radio and interphone communications.
REFERENCE-
FAAO JO 7110.65, Para 2-4-20, Aircraft Identification.

---

I hope this information and links sheds some light on the fact
that Air Force 1 goes nowhere
without the President KNOWING AND APPROVING IT!!!

[Parmy]

Isn’t he the CIC? Isn’t he the only one that can authorize whether AF1 flies or not?

[KLT]

"Sources said the reason for the stunt was to create souvenir pictures of a customized Boeing 747, which serves as Air Force One when the president is aboard."

POSTCARDS? SOUVENIRS? For who, "MODERATE TALIBAN"?

[keats5]

“Obama said he was as in the dark as everyone else about the photo op fly-by..”

He should read Free Republic. It was posted here within minutes.

[Natural Law]

Another Clintonesque “The Buck never got here” statment.

[CholeraJoe]

These planes are the remote controls for a full scale nuclear war.

That would be the NEACP, not Air Force One. The National Emergency Airborne Command Post or NEACP (pronounced kneecap) is a specially equipped and modified Boeing 747. One is permanently stationed at Andrews AFB, MD and the other is at Barksdale AFB, LA.

[jersey117]

The mere fact that a 747 had clearance to flit about over ground zero defies all logic in a post 9/11 world.

[Gator113]

I can hear you, the rest of the world can hear you and the people who your administration instructed to pretend to knock those buildings down will hear all of us soon.