Overview
- NORAD said a civilian aircraft entered the Palm Beach temporary flight restriction at about 4:20 p.m. EST on Saturday and was intercepted by F-16s that escorted it out.
- Flares were deployed to get the pilot’s attention, and NORAD emphasized they burn out quickly and pose no danger to people on the ground.
- NORAD reported multiple restricted-airspace violations in the area earlier in the week and more than 40 tracks of interest near West Palm Beach since January 2025.
- General-aviation pilots were reminded to check NOTAMs and, if intercepted, to contact 121.5 or 243.0 and reverse course until receiving instructions.
- The 30-nautical-mile restriction applies when the president is in town, the nearest F-16s are based at Homestead about 100 miles away with others at Eglin, and West Palm Beach has asked the FAA to reassess noise impacts from altered flight paths.