CAA: GA News, "Planes chased away from Golden Gate Bridge by F-16s"

["Stephen Irwin" <stepheni@xxxxxxxxx>]

Friday, February 1, 2002 

Planes chased away from bridge by F-16s
THE CONTRA COSTA (CA) TIMES 


SAN FRANCISCO - Military fighter jets warned off private aircraft that
apparently came too close to the Golden Gate Bridge late Thursday
afternoon.

Bridge spokeswoman Mary Currie confirmed that bridge security staff saw
the small airplanes about 5 p.m. and, per protocol, advised the Federal
Aviation Administration.

"We were told they scrambled F-16s," Currie said. "We didn't see them,
but they were heard and shortly afterwards, the two planes departed."

The FAA could not be reached for comment. 

Currie said the FAA did not tell her the intent or purpose of the
private airplanes' visit to the bridge.

The pilots were probably sightseeing but "you just don't want to fly
next to the Golden Gate Bridge right now," Currie said. "What this did
show was that our security procedures are working."


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