Do FAR-like rules apply to the AF in SUA?

[Pi1otguy]

http://www.aopa.org/flightplanning/articles/2008/080409f-16.html

When Patrick McCall got an urgent collision avoidance warning from the TCAS in his Pilatus PC-12, he took evasive action—turning, diving, and then climbing to avoid the traffic that seemed to be chasing him across the sky. When he finally saw the traffic, it was an Air Force F-16 flying in close formation with his aircraft.

I know that you can fly through MOAs even when hot. I also know that certain rules about acrobatic flight doesn't apply to the AF in a MOA.

Are non-participating aircraft fair game for "chasing" or similar acts?
Outside of MOA & other SUA do a set of FAR-like guidance apply to AF jets over th CONUS? (intercepts, CAP, etc excluded)

 

[poadeleted20]

Are non-participating aircraft fair game for "chasing" or similar acts?

No -- in fact, it is strictly forbidden unless the aircraft being intercepted has been identified by competent authority for interception.

Outside of MOA & other SUA do a set of FAR-like guidance apply to AF jets over th CONUS? (intercepts, CAP, etc excluded)

Yes -- Air Force Instruction 11-202 (General Flight Rules). See http://www.e-publishing.af.mil/shared/media/epubs/AFI11-202V3.pdf for the full pub, and note the big letters at the top of the front page: "COMPLIANCE WITH THIS PUBLICATION IS MANDATORY"

 

[TMetzinger]

My Mooney list has had a HUGE debate over the recent incident between the USAF F-16s and the Pilatus PC-12 and the Premier Bizjet. Tempers have run very high.

While I don't think all the facts are known yet for this specific incident, as Ron notes, USAF policy is supposed to prohibit a military airplane from practicing intercepting or flying formation on a civilian airplane unless there is clear communication between the aircraft, or between the controlling facility (ATC) and the civilian airplane, so that the Civilian knows what's going on and is prepared for it.

I was asked if I'd mind letting some F14s out of JAX practice intercepting the Trinidad I was flying, and said "sure". It was neat to see, but again, I was expecting them, and I knew my role was to maintain airspeed, altitude and heading.

Keep in mind that at 240 knots, 600 feet is 1.5 seconds of flight time.

 

[Pi1otguy]

Yes -- Air Force Instruction 11-202 (General Flight Rules). See http://www.e-publishing.af.mil/shared/media/epubs/AFI11-202V3.pdf for the full pub, and note the big letters at the top of the front page: "COMPLIANCE WITH THIS PUBLICATION IS MANDATORY"

Thanks for the quick answer. Thats one less misconception I have about mil aviation. I used to think they played nice in the NAS as a courtesy. But now I'm jealous of how easily comprehendable and yet unambiguous this is.

 

[Steve]

Interesting editorial on MOA's on AvWeb last week...

http://www.avweb.com/news/atis/this_isnt_mig_alley_197652-1.html

At a recent airshow I listened to a couple of AF IPs bemoaning VFR traffic in "their" MOA. I suggested that it was "US airspace" and they changed the subject pretty quickly.