As you might guess, Martha and I are interested in the balance between aviation liberty and national law enforcement, and we would like to pass on some thoughts.
It appears that government agencies are using their ability to monitor general aviation flights to select aircraft to intercept on landing based on what they consider to be a “suspicious” pattern of flight, including such activities as flying west to east without contacting air traffic control. Most of these interceptions, we are told, are for the purpose of pursuing the “war on drugs.” The interceptions often involve warrantless searches, because the officers feel the fact that pilots are already under FAA jurisdiction allows searches with no further authorization.
