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A Pilot’s Guide to Understanding Restrictions in Today’s National Airspace System by Michael W. Brown Introduction sons of national security. following the events of September 11, While TFRs may be triggered by 2001. While TFRs are nothing new, Temporary Flight Restrictions different events, it is important that pi- their use has grown significantly since (TFR) are tools used by the Federal lots familiarize themselves with each that time. However, it is important to Aviation Administration (FAA) to restrict type of restriction, and how it may im- note that other factors have con- aircraft operations within designated pact their proposed flight. Of equal tributed to the increased number of areas. Historically, TFRs have been importance, pilots must know how TFRs throughout the national airspace used by air traffic management as a best to gain information concerning system (NAS). One of these factors means of separating “non-participat- TFRs before each flight. Inadvertent was a regulatory change that also oc- ing” aircraft from those engaged in flight into a TFR not only places a curred, coincidently, in September of certain activities, such as firefighting, pilot’s certificate at risk; it also in- 2001. Title 14 of the Code of Federal rescue, and law enforcement opera- creases the chances of being inter- Regulations (14 CFR) part 91 was tions. They have also been used to cepted by military or law enforcement amended to include Section 91.145, keep aircraft away from surface-based aircraft. Even worse, straying into TFR Management of Aircraft Operations in hazards that could impact safety of airspace may increase the risk of a the Vicinity of Aerial Demonstrations flight, such as toxic gas spills or vol- mid-air collision. and Major Sporting Events. With this canic eruptions. However, over the change, events such as air shows in- past two years, TFRs, along with Air Changes in the National volving high performance aircraft or Defense Identification Zones (ADIZ) Airspace System military demonstration teams, as well and Flight Restriction Zones (FRZ), as major sporting events such as the have been widely used to restrict over- TFRs have become a topic of Indianapolis 500™ auto race or the flights through certain airspace for rea- great interest to general aviation pilots World Series™, may now trigger the NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2003 1 establishment of flight restrictions. Another factor contributing to TFR usage has been the increasingly active forest fire seasons of recent years. While Federal agencies take great pains to limit the size and frequency of flight restrictions, the nature of their work is such that it is necessary to keep nonparticipating air traffic segre- gated from aircraft engaged in fire- fighting activities. These factors, coupled with ongo- ing threats to national security, have created an operational environment that calls for greater vigilance and planning on the part of general avia- tion pilots. TFRs in the NAS The charted restriction around prohibited area P-40. During Presidential visits, this restriction is expanded beyond the charted limits. The term “TFR” is used generically to describe various types of restric- tions within the national airspace sys- disaster/hazard relief activities and is lots should also be aware that unlike tem. However, it should be noted being operated under the direction of most other TFRs, 91.137a(2) restric- there are actually eight types of TFRs the official in charge of on-scene tions might not be circular in shape. used throughout the NAS. Under- emergency response activities. Instead, their boundaries conform to standing the reasons for each is help- Pilots may have noted that a num- the requirements of the agency coor- ful in alerting pilots to the possibility of ber of existing TFRs were issued dinating relief activities. restrictions along their intended route under 91.137a(1) for reasons of na- Although most pilots may not fly in of flight. What follows is a brief outline tional security. These TFRs were put an area designated in a section of each restriction: in place following the terrorist attacks 91.137a(2) TFR, certain exceptions A flight restriction issued under of September 11, 2001, to protect are outlined. Details concerning this the authority of 14 CFR Section various Department of Defense (DoD) and other regulations may be found 91.137, TFR in the Vicinity of Disas- installations (such as military sites), online at http://www.faa.gov. ter/Hazard Areas, is intended to pro- chemical storage facilities, or other 3. Section 91.137a(3): TFRs is- tect persons or property, on the high-profile areas that could be tar- sued under this paragraph are in- ground or in the air, from a specific geted in future terrorist attacks. Some tended to prevent the unsafe conges- hazard. The restriction is issued to of the original DoD restrictions have tion of sightseeing aircraft above prevent low-flying aircraft from in- since been cancelled, and the remain- disaster/hazard incidents of limited creasing that hazard, regardless of its ing TFRs are under review by the DoD duration, such as aircraft accident nature. There are three situations for and the FAA. The dimensions of these sites, that may generate a high degree which a TFR may be issued under restrictions vary, but most are between of public interest. section 91.137, and they are: three and five nautical miles (NM) in ra- The restrictions in a section 1. Section 91.137a(1): TFRs are dius and extend upward to 3,000 or 91.137a(3) TFR are similar to those for issued under this paragraph when 5,000 feet above ground level (AGL). 91.137a(2), except that aircraft carry- necessary to protect persons and 2. Section 91.137a(2): TFRs is- ing incident or event personnel may property on the ground or in the air sued under this paragraph are in- also operate in the area. For more de- from a hazard associated with an inci- tended to provide a safe environment tails on use of these TFRs, including dent on the surface. Examples in- for the operation of disaster relief air- the additional information that must be clude: toxic gas leaks or spills, vol- craft. Quite simply, these restrictions included when filing a flight plan canic eruptions, nuclear accidents, are meant to keep non-participating through such areas, pilots should fa- etc. traffic away from aircraft engaged in miliarize themselves with 14 CFR Sec- A Section 91.137a(1) TFR is the firefighting activities, avalanche con- tion 91.137. most restrictive of any issued under trol, search and rescue activities, etc. 4. 14 CFR Section 91.138 Tem- section 91.137. It prohibits all aircraft Due to the nature of these restrictions, porary Flight Restrictions in National from operating in the designated area, they may be in place for only a few Disaster Areas in the State of Hawaii. unless it is participating in hours or as long as several days. Pi- Obviously restrictions issued under 2 FAA Aviation News this part do not have far reaching im- ities take place). The NOTAMs plications for most general aviation pi- which create these TFRs usu- lots. However, if you find yourself on ally activate existing special use the Hawaiian Islands with plans to do airspace (restricted and/or some flying, be on the look out for No- warning areas), or airspace ad- tices to Airmen (NOTAMs) carrying jacent to these areas. Since these restrictions, particularly when a September 11, 2001, space national disaster area declaration has shuttle launches have been ac- been issued. companied by additional re- 5. 14 CFR Section 91.141 Flight strictions issued under 14 CFR Restrictions in the Proximity of the Section 99.7 Presidential and Other Parties. TFRs 7. 14 CFR Section issued under this part are used to pro- 91.145 Management of Aircraft tect the President, Vice President, or Operations in the Vicinity of other public figures while traveling Aerial Demonstrations and throughout the United States. Prior to Major Sporting Events. When September 11, 2001, such restrictions deemed necessary by the FAA, were very localized and rarely im- section 91.145 provides for the (Graphic courtesy of AOPA) pacted general aviation pilots. How- issuance of a TFR during cer- The TFR surrounding Crawford, Texas. In effect ever, ongoing security concerns have tain events, including aerial during Presidential visits, this restriction can have led to restrictions much greater in size, demonstrations (such as those a 30 NM radius. forcing pilots to increase their aware- involving the Blue Angels, Thun- ness of Presidential movements. In derbirds, Golden Knights, etc.), many cases, Presidential TFRs with a the Olympics™, World Cup Soccer™, merous TFRs have been established 30 NM radius or greater have been the Super Bowl™, etc. While section under the authority of this section. For established. 91.145 restrictions are used in many example, TFRs have been used It is also important to note that pi- of these instances, pilots should know around cities (such as Chicago) over lots flying in certain parts of the coun- that certain high profile sporting military facilities (such as the Navy’s try face unique restrictions associated events (particularly those like the base in St. Marys, Georgia), and to with Section 91.141 TFRs. If you fly Super Bowl™ that create inviting ter- protect space shuttle launch facilities near Crawford, Texas, or Kenneb- rorist targets), may receive larger re- in Florida. In other cases, section unkport, Maine, you may expect large strictions issued under section 99.7, 99.7 TFRs have been issued in re- flight restrictions during Presidential Special Security Instructions, if deter- sponse to threat assessments affect- visits. Although smaller prohibited mined necessary by appropriate Fed- ing certain major sporting events, areas (P-49 and P-67) are always in eral security and law enforcement offi- such as the World Series™; and over place at those locations, visits by the cials.

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