SPIRIT Airlines pilots have gotten a slap on the wrist after they flew too close to Air Force One.
The air traffic controller repeatedly warned Spirit Airlines flight 1300 to move out of the way in the terrifying close call on Tuesday morning.
Air Force One landed on the tarmac at Stansted Airport in England for President Donald Trump’s visit on TuesdayGetty
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump getting off Air Force One after arriving in London following a close call in the air with a Spirit Airlines flightGetty
The Spirit flight was heading from Fort Lauderdale to Boston (stock image)Getty
The Spirit flight, going from Fort Lauderdale to Boston, flew near the jet carrying President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump as they traveled to a state visit to the United Kingdom.
An annoyed air traffic controller was forced to raise his voice and warn the pair of pilots, “Pay attention. Get off the iPad.”
As the two planes flew parallel to each other over Long Island, New York, an air traffic controller was forced to intervene.
“Spirit 1300, turn 20 degrees right,” the controller said in an audio recording obtained by LiveATC.net.
“Pay attention, Spirit 1300, turn 20 degrees right.”
The planes were eight miles apart when they flew closest to each other, according to the audio.
They crossed the same point in the path just within a minute of each other.
The controller was heard growing frustrated and raising his voice as he repeated orders four times.
“Traffic’s off your left wing by six miles or eight miles. 747, I’m sure you can see who it is,” he added.
“Keep an eye out for him, he’s white and blue.”
After the two planes’ paths converged, the controller let out his frustration with the pilots.
“I got to talk to you twice every time?” he quipped.
“Pay attention. Get off the iPad.”
Pilots often use tablets like iPads to access their GPS and to check the weather.
“Spirit Airlines flight 1300 followed procedures and Air Traffic Control instructions while en route to Boston and landed uneventfully [in Boston],” a Spirit Airlines spokesperson told The U.S. Sun.
“Safety is always our top priority.”
The Federal Aviation Administration didn’t immediately return The U.S. Sun’s request for comment.
Air Force One landed safely at London Stansted Airport at about 9 pm local time.
Trump stayed at the US ambassador’s London home before meeting with his longtime friend King Charles III on Wednesday.
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