Black Hawk Intercepts a Cessna 182

This intercept was part of a training exercise.

A U.S. Department of Homeland Security Black Hawk intercepts a Civil Air Patrol Cessna 182 during a training exercise. Civil Air Patrol’s Texas Wing supported U.S. Air Force air defense training for Super Bowl LI in 2017. These exercises -- Felix Hawk on Jan. 24 and Falcon Virgo on Feb. 1 – were designed to protect the airspace around NRG Stadium in Houston.

Video produced by Maj. Matthew Congrove, Civil Air Patrol Texas Wing

[insaneapples]

"May we continue to our destination?"

"Negative, firing missiles."

[MyRealName]

He got away with it despite instantly getting 4 stars. Nice.

[manchesterutd]

Sir i need you to exit the aircraft 😂😂😂😂😂
Pilot: what?

[SeaPancakes]

Plot Twist: Due to budget cuts Cessna 182 flyover was all they could get for the super bowl

[magallan_mk.]

Helicopter is faster then the Cessna 172 lol

[borisbozzi]

The title should be "watch as niko bellic on an annihilator intercepts a civil cessna" ahahah

[samivwow]

When a helicopter is faster than your plane

[stephengregory]

I love how he says for the exercise like 2 distinct times.

He wants to make damn sure that USBP doesnt light him up with the 240 thinking it's a real threat

[rosalieholland]

I was expecting someone to say *You are in restricted airspace*

[MrAbunile]

Handled very professionally by both parties.

[SuperCSplayer]

1) It's petty cool how that Blackhawk is able to maintain the same airspeed as the Cessna.
2) Why does the pilot (or crew member) of the Blackhawk sound so shaky? Is it just the mic or feedback or what? Sounds like he's hesitant...

[valerieyearsago]

That one moment when a rotary wing is about to catch up to your fixed wing. 😅

[CRFProductions]

When performing this Activity, CAP cannot mention three things for national security reasons. Where are they are flying, the speed at which they are flying or even how high they are.

[thalpha]

One more thing CAP does without the Public's knowledge, Congrats keep up the good work!

[majo]

While I don't have as many years behind the controls as MotorsbyShooter, I wanted to expand on his statement " the Cessna would have been given a choice of follow me...turn to a heading of (whatever they say) or get your Cessna shot down." which is cutting to the quick.

So first, let me explain that a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is an area of airspace that pilots are not permitted to fly in during a specified time, unless they have been given authorization. It's typically part of a pilot's pre-flight planning to check for TFRs on their route, and plan accordingly. Commercial pilots flying airliners actually have this don'e for them by the flight planning team, but they still review them before departure (along with weather, winds, etc.)

Now, let's talk about "response". I've rarely heard of a helicopter performing the intercept. Normally it's a jet, but it can be what ever is the closest military aircraft. When they locate the aircraft in violation of the TFR, they will try radio contact first. However, there's a number of reasons a pilot might not respond. They may be on the wrong radio frequency (like the tower frequency from the airspace they left 20 minutes ago) in error, they may be unconscious (medical emergency), etc. In most cases, the military aircraft will perform a fly-by to get their attention. This could mean flying next to them, or ahead and to the side of them. (The reason they don't fly in front of them is called "Wake turbulence" and that's another subject. Either way, most pilots know that if they see this happen they will switch to the emergency frequency and report in. They will then be given instructions on what to do next. RARELY will a US military aircraft engage another US based aircraft without strong indication the intentions of the other plane are hostile. Normally the military aircraft will make EVERY attempt to contact the pilot for get them our of the area using non-lethal force. In some cases, depending on why the TFR is in place, they may just monitor the violating aircraft through the TFR, trying to reach them the entire time. The tail number (or N number) can be traced, and the FAA can be sitting at wherever they land to have a talk with them as well.

So when does this become a deadly scenario? That really depends on the why the TFR is there in the first place. So here are a few of the rare situations where the military aircraft may actually fire on another aircraft in a TFR.

- The TFR is for POTUS movement
Wherever the President of the United States is, there's a TFR in place. If you fly in to this TFR, they will still make an attempt to communicate, but you have a limited time to respond. If they can't reach you they request, and will likely be given, the ability to fire on you. If you happen to even get too close to Air Force 1 (Interesting fact, the US has several of these planes, whatever plane the POTUS steps on is officially deemed call-sign "Air Force 1" ) you will get a warning shot. If you show a potentially hostile action, you're shot down.

- The TFR is a high-security military/governmental operation
Movement of visiting dignitaries, ambassadors, transport of military equipment such as nuclear warheads, missiles, etc. will cause TFRs. Violating these may result in being shot down.

In summary, flying in to a TFR isn't necessary a death sentence, IT HAPPENS EVERY DAY. Most of the time you get a letter of reprimand, a fine, or a loss of your pilot's license. BEFORE a military aircraft will shoot you down in US Airspace they will request AUTHORIZATION. (Note: this applies to TFRs, if you fly in to restricted airspace (like Area 51) they have standing orders to fire if they can't get you turned around). Someone asked (in the comments) if they'd do this to an airliner. The answer is YES. They will likely try more methods of communication (such as having the company contact the pilots), but in the end, if they believe it's a hijacking or other terrorist threat, the US military would rather take of 140-some odd lives than let them potentially kill thousands.

[HappyCamper]

Damn that's cool. Would such a Black Hawk be equipped with any kind of weaponry in a real scenario? In case it had to take action.

[aviationspotter]

Why does the chopper pilot sound like he's sitting on a washing machine?

[mariosmiltiadous]

that kinda looks like the Annihilator from GTA

[insidecat]

Motorsbyshooter turns out that after checking around that you are the smartest person on all of social media.
There may be some awards in your future
Congrats. WTG

[paulrodgers]

The black hawk pilots voice was so wired