In-Flight Intercept Procedures

If you are intercepted by a U.S. Military or Law Enforcement aircraft, immediately:
  1. Follow the instructions given by the intercepting aircraft.

  2. Notify ATC, if possible

  3. Attempt to communicate with ATC on the emergency frequency 121.5 MHx, giving the identity and position of your aircraft and the nature of the flight.

  4. If equiped with a transponder, squawk 7700, unless otherwise instructed by ATC. If any instructions received by radio from any sources conflict with those given by the intercepting aircraft by visual or radio signals, request clarification while continuing to comply with the instructions given by the intercepting aircraft.
Intercepting Aircraft signal Meaning Intercepted Aircraft Response Meaning
Rocks winds. After acknowledgement, initiaites a slow level turn, normally to the left, into the desired heading. (Also, at night flash the navigation lights.) You have been intercepted. Rocks wings and follows. (Also, at night flashes navigation lights.) I understand and will comply.
Performs an aburpt breakaway maneuver consisting of a climbing 90 degree turn, or more, without crossing the interepted aircraft's flight path. You may proceed. Rocks wings. I understand and will comply.
Circles airport, lowers landing gear, and overflies runway in the direction of landing. (Also, at night, turn the landing lights on.) Land at this airport. Lowers landing gear, follows the intercepting aircraft and lands if the runway is considered safe. (Also, at night turn landing lights on.)

Communications from Intercepted Aircraft to Intercepting Aircraft

Intercepted Aircraft Signal Meaning Intercepting Aircraft Response Meaning
Raises landing gear while flying over runway between 1,000' and 2,000', and continues to circle the airport. This airport is inadequate. If the intercepting aircraft is requested to go to an alternate airport, the intercepting aircraft raises its landing gear and uses the intercept procedures. Understood, follow me.
(At night, the pilot of the intercepted aircraft will also flash landing lighs while passing over the runway.)
To release the intercepted aircraft, the intercepting aircraft will perform the breakaway maneuver. Understood, you may proceed.
The pilot switches on and off all available lights at regular intervals. Cannot Comply. Performs the breakaway maneuver. Understood.
The pilot switches on and off all available lights at irregular intervals. In distress. Performs the breakaway maneuver. Understood.