Trump weighed in on Cabinet squabble over ride for July Fourth flyover

[mahatmakanejeeves]

2. Isaacman Flew F-5 In July 4 Flyover After FAA Denial

Aviation News
Isaacman Flew F-5 In July 4 Flyover After FAA Denial

The FAA had classified the vintage jets as “very high-risk.”

Matt Ryan * Monday, July 06, 2026 at 11:04 AM ET Edited By: Zach Vasile

https://avweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/1000w_q95-7.webp
Isaacman Flew F-5 In July 4 Flyover After FAA Denial [Credit: Senior Airman Gabriel Jones, 316th Wing]

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman flew a Northrop F-5 Tiger II during the Fourth of July flyover over Washington, D.C., after the FAA had denied a request to include four of the aircraft in the event, according to a new report from The Wall Street Journal. The flyover later proceeded after Isaacman said the aircraft had been placed under NASA control, moving the operation outside the civil exemption request.

FAA Cited Safety Concerns

The Journal reported that a representative for Isaacman asked the FAA in late June to allow four 1970s-era F-5s to take part in the air show over the National Mall. The FAA denied the request June 30, citing concerns about the aircraft, ejection systems, prior accidents and potential risk to people and property on the ground. The denial was signed by Hugh Thomas, a senior FAA official in the agency’s flight standards division, according to the report.

{snip}

Matt Ryan
Matt is AVweb's lead editor. His eyes have been turned to the sky for as long as he can remember. Now a fixed-wing pilot, instructor and aviation writer, Matt also leads and teaches a high school aviation program in the Dallas area. Beyond his lifelong obsession with aviation, Matt loves to travel and has lived in Greece, Czechia and Germany for studies and for work.