This past Saturday, a U.S. Coast Guard MH-65 helicopter responded to intercept a civilian aircraft over Rehoboth Beach, where an aircraft violated the Temporary Flight Restriction put up during President Bidens' visit. The plane was escorted away and landed safely at a nearby airport. The pilot, a Milton neighbor with 70 years of flight experience, John Chirtea.
He says in all his years of experience, he's never been in a situation quite like that,
“We were about 30 minutes into my flight, and I look out on my left wing and there’s a massive orange coast guard helicopter," said Chirtea.
Chirtea says on Saturday morning he invited a guest for a personal pleasure flight on his single-engine plane 'Buttercup." While he did know there was an active restriction in Dover, he didn't realize the Rehoboth area currently had one and missed the pop-up for it.
As he was 30 minutes into his flight, Chirtea was surprised to spot a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter near his left wing. He said he was unable to understand their attempts to communicate, which led him to promptly land back at Eagle Crest Airport with the chopper, adjacent to his residence.
After the helicopter left for fuel, three Homeland Security agents approached Chirtea, asking questions respectfully before departing. He said he instantly realized, and owned-up to, his mistake
Despite the mix-up, Chirtea says it was an experience, and there has been plenty of fun reaction from friends, family, and other pilots,
“One of them just texted me this morning and said, John, that wasn’t you was it – and (laughs) I said yep… that was me. He said - you’re joking, and I said I can’t joke about something like this!”
Though flight restrictions limit his flying activities, Chirtea holds no hard feelings toward the situation and has extended an apology to the First Couple.
“As I matter of fact I sent him and Jill a letter of apology last night, who knows, maybe they’ll get a hold of me and get a visit with me next time they are down here!”
Chirtea says he hopes his flight didn't interrupt their vacation, and says they deserve some downtime. Chirtea expressed gratitude for the smooth handling of the situation, and is thankful he didn't fly further South.
