Plain English Meaning

If a military aircraft is sent up to check on a civilian aircraft, both sides follow a set of standard steps. The military pilot uses signals and radio calls to make contact, and the civilian pilot has set responses they must follow, including doing what the intercepting aircraft tells them to do.

Full Definition

The standardized actions taken by military or law enforcement aircraft to identify, communicate with, and if necessary divert a civil aircraft that has entered restricted airspace, failed to comply with ATC instructions, or is otherwise behaving in a way that warrants investigation. The term also covers the corresponding actions the intercepted pilot is required to take, including following visual signals, attempting radio contact on guard frequency (121.5 MHz), and complying with the intercepting aircraft's instructions.

Context Anchor

Pilots encounter this term in and national discussions, especially when what to do near sensitive airspace or if contacted by an intercepting aircraft.