"Heed this: A Controller rebukes Spirit aircraft pilot during flight proximity to Air Force One"
In an unusual air traffic incident, Spirit Airlines Flight 1300 from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Boston Logan International Airport, came close to Air Force One, carrying President Trump, on Tuesday morning. The Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) confirmed that the required separation was maintained between the two aircraft.
The FAA made a statement about the incident on Tuesday, stating that a preliminary investigation shows the aircraft maintained the required separation. Spirit Airlines also released a statement, saying that the flight "followed procedures and Air Traffic Control (ATC) instructions while en route to Boston (BOS) and landed uneventfully at BOS." The airline added, "Safety is always our top priority."
The incident was first reported by the Bluesky account JonNYC. As the Spirit Airlines plane was approaching Air Force One, the air traffic controller became frustrated with the pilot and instructed them multiple times to turn 20 degrees right to avoid proximity to Air Force One. The controller sternly told the pilot, "Spirit wings 1300, turn 20 degrees right immediately."
The pilot eventually acknowledged the instruction, saying, "20 degrees right, Spirit wings 1300." The air traffic controller later scolded the Spirit pilot, saying, "I gotta talk to you twice every time." The controller also informed the Spirit pilot that Air Force One was off the Spirit plane's left wing by 8 miles.
During the flight, the controller became frustrated with the pilot when the plane was about 8 miles from Air Force One and told the pilot, "Pay attention, get off the iPad." Airline pilots often use iPads to access navigational charts, manuals, checklists, performance data, and weather.
The controller told the pilot, "I'm sure you can see who it is," and "Keep an eye out for me, white and blue." The FAA is aware of social media posts about the incident in Boston airspace on Tuesday. The pilot involved in the incident was not named in the reports; however, the flight was Spirit Airlines flight 1300 headed to Boston, and the pilot was ordered multiple times to turn 20 degrees right to avoid proximity to Air Force One.
The incident happened while President Donald Trump was flying to the United Kingdom aboard Air Force One. The FAA has initiated a full investigation into the matter to ensure the safety of all flights in the future.
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