NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman participated in an air show for the 250th anniversary of the United States in Washington, flying a vintage Northrop F-5 Tiger II fighter jet, despite objections from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This was reported by The Wall Street Journal, as conveyed by UNN.
According to the publication, at the end of June, a representative of Isaacman contacted the FAA requesting permission for four F-5 Tiger II fighters, built in the 1970s, to participate in a celebratory air parade over the National Mall in Washington.
On June 30, the FAA denied the request, deeming the aircraft "very high risk" for flights over densely populated areas due to the potential threat to people and property.
Nevertheless, Isaacman still made the flight, explaining that there was a misunderstanding regarding the regulator's authority.
"The use of the F-5 for this flight fell under different rules than those governing civil aviation. The FAA's jurisdiction does not extend to state aircraft," the NASA chief stated.
As The Wall Street Journal notes, Isaacman is an experienced pilot and has been flying military aircraft for many years.