Two small planes diverted during President barack Obama's visit to Florida

(file photo) A small plane in the flight zone restricted during President Obama's visit was escorted away by two military aircraft shortly after noon today.
Photographer: Wiki creative commons placed in public domain by author by Arpingstone

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Posted: 09/09/2012

By: Associated Press

SEMINOLE, Fla. (AP) -- Authorities say two F-16 fighter jets intercepted a small plane that violated airspace restricted for President Barack Obama's visit to the Tampa Bay area.

The president campaigned Saturday morning in Seminole before heading to central Florida.

Lt. Cmdr. Bill Lewis of the North American Aerospace Defense Command says the jets established radio contact with the pilot and ordered the plane out of the 10-mile restricted airspace.

Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Arlene Salac says the single-engine Cessna originated in Key West and was flying to Gainesville. The flight was allowed to continue.

Salac says a second small plane was diverted after wandering into the restricted zone Saturday afternoon. That plane was flying from New Port Richey to Key West.

Lewis says these incidents are not uncommon when temporary flight restrictions are set.