The jet flares actually burn bright white when they are ejected from the jets, he said. But when viewed from ground level and at a distance, the flares appear to flicker and burn orange because of pollution in the air, Maj. Restricted air space Exercises in the Buckeye MOA are conducted at altitudes above 5,000 feet. Supersonic flight is done at 35,000 feet, about seven miles above ground, said Maj. MacLeod. It is a dangerous way to get an up-close view.
Aeronautical charts warn pilots of the many restricted training areas throughout the country.
We have special use areas, so that other aircrafts know to be aware. Almost all the units in the region routinely deploy to wherever the Air Force is conducting operations, making it vital that pilots receive ongoing training, said Maj. Hopkins contacted me three times in March and April of 1997 regarding this piece, so he was aware of the discrepancies against the flare theory, yet selectively chose to delete that data. I also expressed that it was within my rights to complain that Hopkins had utilized my research for his piece, to which I was given no reference or attribution. I left Hopkins and his editors a letter to mull over afterward.