NASA chief flew jet at 250th anniversary air show despite FAA's 'high-risk' warning

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman personally piloted a jet at the United States' 250th anniversary air show, despite objections from the country's aviation regulator.

The Federal Aviation Administration had initially opposed Isaacman's plan to fly a vintage fighter jet at the celebration, the Wall Street Journal reported Monday.

Isaacman's team had requested permission to fly a Northrop F-5 Tiger II jet built in the 1970s at the air show. The FAA rejected the request June 30, citing documents classifying the aircraft as high-risk with the potential to endanger people and property on the ground.

The documents also reportedly referenced past crash incidents, scenarios that could arise if a pilot needed to eject, and concerns about the aircraft's flight control systems.

Isaacman proceeded with the flight, arguing that the F-5 jets were effectively government aircraft under NASA's control and therefore outside the FAA's jurisdiction.

He told the WSJ that President Donald Trump had clearly wanted the most spectacular celebratory flyover in history, citing that as the reason he went ahead.

NASA requested an exemption from the FAA, and the jet Isaacman piloted opened the celebratory flyover when the 250th anniversary air show got underway.

However, an original plan to carry passengers in the rear seat — including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino and Trump political adviser Chris LaCivita — was reportedly scrapped.

Isaacman is the founder of payment processing company Shift4 and a billionaire entrepreneur in the e-commerce sector.

After connecting with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk through investment, Isaacman developed a strong interest in civilian spaceflight, which led to his appointment as NASA administrator in December last year.

Isaacman also made a bold promise tied to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, vowing to send a soccer ball to the moon if the United States wins the tournament.

Isaacman made the pledge June 30 at an event where he outlined plans to build a lunar base, according to AFP. "The challenge for Team USA is to win the World Cup. Complete the mission," he told the players.

Isaacman also recalled Alan Shepard, America's first astronaut, who hit a few golf shots on the moon in 1971.

"We're going to one-up Alan Shepard and send a soccer ball to the moon," he said. "I hope this serves as a small motivation for Team USA."

Carlos Garcia Galan, the NASA program director overseeing lunar base construction, added that if the United States wins the World Cup, he would "make sure there's room" aboard a spacecraft for the soccer ball.