On Fri, 4 Apr 2008 13:18:46 -0700 (PDT), buttman
wrote:

On Apr 4, 11:17*am, Larry Dighera wrote:

While I can appreciate the AF's frustration at having their training
exercises interrupted, I doubt that that gives them license to violate
FAR 91.111(b) by flying in formation with a civilian aircraft without
prior arrangement.

The military doesn't have to obey the FARs. They have their own rules
they go by.

That is true. However AIR FORCE INSTRUCTION 11-202 pretty much
parallels the FARs.

http://www.f-16.net/downloads_file25.html
5.3. Proximity of Aircraft. The PIC must not allow the aircraft to
be flown so close to another that it creates a collision hazard.
Use 500 ft. of separation (well clear) as an approximate guide
except for:

5.3.1. Authorized formation flights.

5.3.2. Emergency situations requiring assistance from another
aircraft.

NOTE: If an emergency requires visual checks of an aircraft in
distress, the PIC must exercise extreme care to ensure this
action does not increase the overall hazard. The capabilities of
the distressed aircraft and the intentions of the crews involved
must be considered before operating near another aircraft in
flight.

5.3.3. MAJCOM-approved maneuvers in which each participant is
fully aware of the nature of the maneuver and qualified to
conduct it safely (for example, interceptor attack training).