Originally Posted by Platapus (Post 1722184)

I am sure there are advantages of approaching at all altitudes. Not being an suicidal terrorist, I can't opine on which would be the best. :D

Since the J3 could legally approach until the edge of the TFR zone, I would imagine a higher altitude for the dive speed might be better. The lower altitude makes you more vulnerable to small arms fire and kills the ballistic trajectory option.

It is an intriguing problem to consider.

Originally Posted by CaptainMattJ. (Post 1722192)

Bofors? Someone is living in the past :up:.

Its all about the radar-guided Dual vulcan platform firing 20mm High Explosive rounds.

Theres no comparison. Youll be lucky if anyone can find half of your body parts after that thing literally shreds you like paper. not to mention your aircraft, which will look like swiss cheese on a bad day

Originally Posted by Platapus (Post 1722237)

It was not all that long ago that there were still Hawk Missile sites around Dulles Airport. One could see the mounds from the highway but I imagine few knew what they were for.

Then about 10 years ago, they were all taken down,

Originally Posted by Platapus (Post 1722125)

I wonder if modern heat seeking missiles would even lock on to a J3?

I hope the USSS has already figured this out. :o

Originally Posted by Platapus (Post 1722244)

They were taken down before 9/11 so it must have been longer than 10 years. I was still military at that time so it was probably in the late 1990's.

I don't think there was any active decision to take down the Hawk sites, they had been abandoned for many many years, it was more leave them up until we need to take them down for other construction.

Which is what happened. That part of airport property was graded for something and gone were the Hawk mounds. I don't know if there are still any old mounds left on the less accessible portions of the airport.

It would be interesting to see the Air Defense plans for Washington DC during the cold war.

Originally Posted by jimbuna (Post 1722262)

Possibly radar guided? :hmmm:

Originally Posted by MH (Post 1722265)

Maybe optical image recognition....:ping:

Originally Posted by Tribesman (Post 1722354)

Damn fast planes they must have had in WW2:03:

Originally Posted by Platapus (Post 1722174)

It is important to recognize that this was not some prohibited zone in the middle of nowhere. This was centered on O'hare Airport, which gets a little busy at times. O'hare is the third busiest airport in the world.

What was she doing flying within 30 miles of O'Hare without her radio on? Even if it is not required due to airspace designations for that area/altitude, wouldn't you think it would be a good idea to have it on?

Besides, part of the Private Pilot's education is non-radio air intercepts. When these F-16's intercepted her, they did it in an specific manner that communicates their intention. She must have a pretty high self image if she thinks that F-16's would fly close to her just to admire her and her aircraft. Planes don't do that, they maintain separation, especially military jets and civilian props.

I think this lady needs to lose her ticket until she goes through some remedial training. She does not seem to have the judgment expected of a pilot operating in crowded airspace.

Here is a nice FAA document that describes Temporary Flight Restricted Zones and at the end of the document covers the interception procedure including non-radio communication.

http://www.faa.gov/pilots/safety/not...dia/tfrweb.pdf