NORAD Pilots Step Up Mar-A-Lago Intercepts

NORAD pilots have had to use aggressive maneuvers to get the attention of pilots who have strayed into restricted airspace over Mar-a-Lago.

Russ Niles

Tuesday, April 08, 2025 at 08:01 PM ET

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Key Takeaways:

A NORAD F-16 pilot used a "headbutt maneuver" (cutting sharply in front and flying close) to get the attention of a general aviation pilot who violated the TFR over Mar-a-Lago.
The violating aircraft was then escorted away, though its final destination is unclear.
This incident is one of over 20 "tracks of interest" (potential TFR violations) NORAD has handled over Palm Beach since President Trump took office.
NORAD has also deployed flares in past encounters to get the attention of wayward pilots, with the "headbutt" being a new method.

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NORAD says one of its F-16 pilots had to pull a “headbutt maneuver” to get the attention of a GA pilot who busted the TFR over President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort last Friday. Apparently after all else failed, the Viper pilot turned sharply and cut in front of the unidentified GA plane. Then it pulled in close and escorted the plane away. It’s not clear whether it was taken to an airport or just taken outside the TFR.

NORAD said it’s had “over 20 tracks of interest” over Palm Beach since Trump took office on Jan. 20. Trump normally heads to Florida on Friday night but had a golf tournament to attend last Friday so he went a day early. The TFRs are, of course, NOTAMed. The headbutt was something new but NORAD jets have also deployed flares in past encounters to get the attention of wayward pilots.