For the third time in less than 24 hours , F-16 fighter jets were scrambled Thursday to escort a hapless pilot out of a restricted area in place for President Obama 's visit to Los Angeles . Fighter jets intercepted a single-engine Cherokee Piper around 9:30 a.m. ( 12:30 p.m . ET ) minutes after intercepting a Cessna for the same violation . Hours earlier , fighter jets intercepted a single-engine airplane northwest of Los Angeles for breaching a temporary airspace restriction , according to a military news release . The Federal Aviation Administration investigates all violations of restricted airspace , and FAA spokesman Allen Kenitzer told CNN the agency is investigating the three cases over Los Angeles . Pilots refer to the area off limits to general aviation as a `` temporary flight restriction '' or TFR . The FAA keeps an up-to-date list of restricted airspace on its website , something pilots are supposed to check prior to departure . The penalties for violating restricted airspace can be severe according to the FAA . Pilots face possible suspension or loss of their pilot 's license . Not all aircraft are equal when it comes to restricted air space . Commercial flights are in contact with the FAA during their flights and have a flight plan , so they 're allowed to fly into and out of the cordoned-off area , according to the FAA . Police helicopters and air ambulance aircraft are also permitted in the no-fly zone . Flight restriction orders are usually put in place surrounding stadiums during large sporting events , scenes of natural disasters and areas around the president 's movements . Currently there are 49 TFRs over airspace in the U.S. according to the FAA 's website , including one restriction that 's been in place since 2008 over Mt . Kilauea in Hawaii , an active volcano .
The area off limits to general aviation is called a ` ` temporary flight restriction '' or TFR . Those violating this face possible suspension or loss of their pilot 's license . The FAA maintains a list of restricted airspace on its website .