A Spirit Airlines flight has repeatedly received warnings from air traffic control to "concentrate" and "change direction" after flying too close to the private jet carrying US President Donald Trump as he was en route to the UK during his state visit.
Focus on. Don't use iPads anymore" - a harsh reminder given to Spirit pilots when the plane flew parallel to Air Force One at a distance of 12.8km in the sky of New York on September 16.
Although the two aircraft did not violate the distance that the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) considered unsafe, the situation was enough to make officials worried.
The FAA said the aircraft maintained a safe distance as prescribed after the preliminary investigation.
spirit spokesperson stated: Safety is always a top priority, stressing that the airlines flight had complied with air traffic control procedures and instructions, then landed as scheduled, departing from Florida to Massachusetts.
The recorded unreserved control communication sound showed the intensive instructions with tense voices asking the pilot of Spirit's Airbus A321 to stay away.
Spirit300 turn right 20 degrees. Wherever you focus, Spirit300 must turn 20 degrees right. Spirit300 turned right at 20 degrees, immediately the controllers voice resounded.
The pilot of this low-cost airline confirmed the order, although the response was quite difficult to hear due to signal interference.
The controller later emphasized: "Focus. Spirit 1300, on his left wing is a 12.8km away, a 747. I'm sure you see it clearly. Note, it was painted white and blue (the paint color on the outside of Khong Luc Mot).
President Trump and First Lady Melania arrived in England on the evening of September 16 (local time).
