The aircraft that carried former President Bill Clinton to North Korea last month on an errand of mercy seeking the release of two imprisoned U.S. journalists wasn’t a government jet. The secretive mission–which the White House describes as a private diplomatic initiative–instead traveled to Pyongyang in a BBJ, the use of which was donated by owner Stephen Bing, head of Shangri-La Entertainment and a personal friend of the ex-President.
The swiftly arranged flight required an FAA exemption from Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) 79, in place since February 1998, which lists restrictions for flights within North Korean airspace. Logistics for the trip were arranged by California-based AvJet, the owner’s management provider, which worked closely with government agencies. “It was quick and efficient with great FAA cooperation,” said Kenneth Seals, AvJet’s director of operations. “We just needed to provide the FAA with the documentation and proof they needed that we could do this trip safely. That included the RVSM and navigation status of the airplane and the qualifications, training and experience of the flight crews. We were also required to have an authorization number from North Korean Civil Aviation before we could enter North Korean airspace. The entire operation was highly detailed and required continuous coordination with the Department of State and the Air Force to make it happen smoothly.”
