FAA Strongly Warns Civilian Pilots

The Federal Aviation Administration on Friday warned civilian pilots to stay out of restricted airspace or face interception by jet fighters--and the possibility of being shot down “as a last resort.”

The warning came as the agency lifted virtually all of the remaining constraints on private pilots across much of the country, with the exception of the airspace surrounding 30 major cities, including Los Angeles.

Easing the restrictions will allow many news aircraft, blimps, banner-towing planes and traffic-watch planes to return to normal operations for the first time since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York and at the Pentagon.

And small aircraft still are banned from a 25-mile radius around Washington and New York, except for airports in Manassas, Va., and White Plains, N.Y.

In another development, the FAA said that a ban on curbside luggage check-in, put in place after the attacks, was lifted Wednesday at airports that have met increased security standards.

“We are not telling which airports those are,” said agency spokesman Les Dorr, who declined to discuss specifics.

Separately, several airlines reported that they had resumed curbside check-in at the airports they service after meeting the new requirements.

A spokesman at Los Angeles International Airport said Friday that he had not heard of the FAA decision and knew of no airlines at LAX that were ready to allow curbside check-in. A representative for TWA, however, said that the airline indeed had resumed the service there.

FAA spokesman Jerry Snyder also declined to discuss the added security measures that air carriers must perform before they can accept curbside check-ins. But he said the lift of the ban does not change the parking restrictions imposed at LAX, where parking is banned within 300 feet of the terminals.

The FAA warning regarding military interception came after the Pentagon this week disclosed new air defense procedures for shooting down civilian aircraft that are deemed to pose a security threat.

Before the terrorist attacks, only the president could make that decision. Now, authority has been delegated to two Air Force generals.

“Restricted airspace” has a specific meaning in FAA rules, said agency spokesman William Shumann. Pilots should consult charts, ground personnel and special notices for restricted areas in their vicinity, he said. Information is also available from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Assn. on its Web site at https://www.aopa.org.

Many restricted areas are located around military and other national security installations. Civilian planes are not permitted except with special permission. In Southern California, the areas around Edwards Air Force Base and Miramar Air Station are examples of restricted airspace.

In addition, some parts of the country are designated as “prohibited airspace.” These areas--including downtown Washington--are off limits to civilian flying.

Previously, wayward pilots received a warning from air traffic controllers and the possibility of fines or placing their licenses in jeopardy.

Now, said Shumann, they may find jet fighters on their tail.

“It’s certainly likely,” he said. Intercepted planes will be forced to land at the nearest airport, and the pilots will face questioning by authorities and possible penalties.

The FAA also advised private pilots to stay away from facilities like nuclear power plants, even if there are no restrictions on the airspace around them.

“In the interest of national security, and to the extent practicable, pilots are advised to avoid the airspace above, or in proximity to, nuclear power plants, power plants, dams, refineries, industrial complexes and other similar facilities,” said an FAA special notice issued Friday. “Pilots should not circle as to loiter in the vicinity of such facilities.”

Meanwhile on Friday, there was confusion over whether Washington’s Reagan National Airport would soon reopen. Reagan National is the only one that remains closed. The Secret Service has concerns about its proximity to the White House.

Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta, appearing on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” said Reagan National would “definitely reopen” and a final decision would be announced next week.

But hours later, White House spokesman Ari Fleischer stressed that no decision has been made. Fleischer said President Bush is concerned about the economic impact of keeping the airport closed, but that he is still receiving recommendations from his advisors on the issue. The airport employs about 10,000 people.

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Times staff writer Hugo Martin in Los Angeles contributed to this report.