Posted on 08/04/2025 11:42:16 AM PDT by Red Badger
U.S. fighter jets scrambled to intercept unauthorized civilian aircraft detected over Trump’s Bedminster golf club in New Jersey while a temporary flight restriction (TFR) zone was in place.
The civilian aircraft entered the restricted airspace at approximately 12:50 p.m. ET on Sunday.
North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) used flares to get the pilot’s attention.
According to reports, this wasn’t the first intercept and multiple incursions occurred over the weekend.
Newsweek has more:
The interception on Sunday afternoon was the second in the restriction zone that day, and the fifth of that weekend.
NORAD stressed that the flares they used, which may have been spotted by some members of the public, “are employed with the highest regard for the safety of the intercepted aircraft and people on the ground.”
“Flares burn out quickly and completely and there is no danger to the people on the ground when dispensed,” the organization said.
It also warned pilots to check fly zone updates before taking off. “General aviation pilots are reminded to verify all Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) Notice to Airmen (NOTAMs) and Fly Informed before every flight,” it said.
Trump spent the weekend at Bedminster and returned to the White House late on Sunday night, according to MSN.
“Over the weekend, a total of seven general aviation aircraft violated Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) airspace over Bedminster, New Jersey. In addition to three unauthorized incursions yesterday, there were four violations today, including one requiring an intercept by North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) fighter aircraft,” NORAD said in a statement.
“General aviation pilots are reminded that TFR procedures are mandatory and to verify all Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) Notice to Airmen (NOTAMs) and Fly Informed before every flight; in the instance of the Bedminster, New Jersey region, specifically FAA NOTAMs 9839, 9840, 9841 and 9842,” it added.
CBS News provided further details:
NORAD, which noted previously that 11 aircraft violated the same airspace over July 4 weekend, urged pilots to pay attention to Notice to Airmen (NOTAMs) issued by the FAA.
“Ignorance is not a defense,” NORAD warned before the weekend when announcing the airspace restrictions.
The command routinely issues temporary flight restriction (TFR) zones for Mr. Trump’s Bedminster retreat as well as his property at Mar-a-Lago in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Air Force fighter jets have also intercepted civilian aircraft flying in the temporarily restricted airspace over Mr. Trump’s Florida home this year, after the president took office on Jan. 20.
Pilots are almost always very well-educated people. Flying in restricted space would almost never be an accident. Will close my mouth now.
Actually, pilots do fly into restricted airspace. The weather has been great, which brings out General Aviation pilots who do not fly often. Trump does not visit Bedminster on a regular basis. Easy for a pilot make an error.
Flying in restricted space would almost never be an accident.”
It is not an accident that they flew there. Negligence for not checking if TFR zone was in place.
Homesick Rosie O’Donut?
I’ve never had pilot training so I no almost nothing of which I speak, but it seems like the small aircraft pilots don’t file flight plans and just go for joy rides and sight seeing. The paths you see them take on flight radar are erratic and random.
Very recently I saw a helicopter flying lots of loops around CLE (hopkins) at 150ft, many times in front of the runway, sometimes even over it. This went on for over a half hour. I took a screengrab because I thought it was very peculiar. I can’t believe they were doing all that without permission or at least awareness of ATC, but the again, what was he doing?
I could be wrong, but it seems like a lot of pilots just fly.
Are there warning systems on small craft that warn when you are flying over restricted airspace?
“ Pilots are almost always very well-educated people”
Pilots read NOTAMs before flights? Surely you jest!!
I’ve seen the majority of pilots who fly into my local airport fail to read notams as the standard. Now it rare if they are actually informed when they fly into my local airport.
6 month airport closure revealed many pilots had no idea the runway was closed until they almost landed on the giant X on each end of the runway. A couple actually did land on the closed runway…
NOTICE: Runway ‘X’ is closed to air traffic.
Runways I - IX are okay...............
Probably that guy who landed the wrong direction at Oshkosh
My dad did not make those mistakes. Apparently the modern pilots have not studied properly and are not knowledgeable about the rules.
He's gonna need a new seat cushion for his plane.
Hell, That Cessna 150 is not as fast as Trump’s golf cart.
“Probably that guy who landed the wrong direction at Oshkosh”
Harrison Ford flying again?...................
A Flight plan is not required in all circumstances. In this case, the pilots were probably use to flying over a particular area and were negligent in checking about the Temporary Flight Restriction. The operative word is TEMPORARY. The pilot needs to check the airspace, no walls.
“Flying in restricted space would almost never be an accident.”
Agreed-
Was it $oros and Jazzy?
Even when you are diligent..., S**T HAPPENS!
“...I was advised to immediately phone the FAA.”
That’s NEVER GOOD.....................
Is there a penalty for flying into restricted airspace? I would think that anyone who has a small plane near Bedminster knows that Trump lives there even through he is not there all the time.
Yes. The FAA can take action. In extreme cases, the FAA can pull the pilot license. In some cases, law enforcement can take action. Any pilot who violates the TFR is in trouble.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.