tfrs in the houston area

Presented to:

By:

Date:

Federal AviationAdministration

TFRs in the Houston AreaFAASTeam

General Audience

Sarah Rovner

7-16-13


• Regulations Regarding TFRs• General TFRs• Presidential TFRs• Intercept procedures

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Overview


Regulations Regarding TFRsFAA Temporary Flight Restrictions:• FAR § 91.137 describes the procedures regarding TFRs in the

vicinity of disaster/hazard areas (example: firefighting operations)

• FAR § 91.138 describes the procedures regarding TFRs in national disaster areas in the State of Hawaii

• FAR § 91.141 describes the restriction for flights in proximity of the President.

• FAR § 91.144 describes temporary flight restrictions when the barometric pressure exceeds 31 inches of Mercury

• FAR § 91.145 describes TFRs put in place for major sporting events or aerial demonstrations.

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Regulations and TFRs


• Presidential• Special Events• Disaster/Hazard Areas• Homeland Security

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Types of TFRs


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TFR Format

1. Location of the TFR area 2. Effective period 3. Defined area 4. Altitudes affected 5. FAA coordination facility and telephone

number 6. Reason for the TFR 7. Agency directing relief activities (if applicable)

and telephone number 8. Any other information considered appropriate.


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Management of Aircraft Operations in the Vicinity of Aerial Demonstrations and Major Sporting Events

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Under FAR § 91.145, the following events MAY be issued a TFR via NOTAM with the specific location and altitudes of the restriction:

• Blue Angels demonstration• Thunderbirds demonstration• Golden Knights parachute demonstration• Summer/Winter Olympic games• Annual Tournament of Roses Football Game• World Cup Soccer• Major League Baseball All-Star Game• World Series• Kodak Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta• Sandia Classic Hang Gliding Competition• Indianapolis 500 Race

General TFRs


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FDC NOTAM 9/5151

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Which of the following events would NOT quality for a TFR under FDC NOTAM 9/5151? (ask audience question)

• National Football League game• Major League Baseball• Indy Car Race• NCAA Division One Football Game• NASCAR Sprint Cup• Outdoor concert by a popular band

General TFRs


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Requirements for the issue of a TFR under FDC NOTAM 9/5151:• Stadium having a seating capacity of 30,000 or

more• 1 hour before and 1 hour after the qualifying event• All aircraft and parachute operations are prohibited

within a 3 nm radius up to and including 3000 agl.• Exclusions:

– Flights conducted for operational purposes of the event– Flights authorized with an approved waiver– Aircraft authorized by and in contact with ATC for operational or safety of

flight purposes– DOD, law enforcement, and air ambulance

General TFRs


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• Flight Service MAY or MAY NOT be aware of a specific TFR for a general sporting event under NOTAM 9/5151

• Just because you are in contact with ATC does NOT mean you are automatically cleared through the TFR. If you are VFR and receiving flight following services, you are ALWAYS responsible for your flight path and to avoid special airspace.

• AOPA has a good resource for a list of qualifying stadiums and events:– http://

www.aopa.org/Flight-Planning/Tfrs/Stadiums-and-Speedways

General TFRs

http://www.aopa.org/Flight-Planning/Tfrs/Stadiums-and-Speedways




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• Reliant Stadium (71,500) – Houston Texans games

• Minute Maid Park (40,950) – Houston Astros games

• Rice Stadium (70,000) – NCAA Games• University of Houston Robertson Stadium

(32,000) – NCAA Games

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Stadiums in the Houston Area


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Blanket NOTAMS & Special Security Instructions

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• NOTAM 4/0811 – Special Notice – Pilots are strongly advised to avoid the airspace above, or in proximity to such sites as power plants (nuclear, hydro-electric, or coal), dams, refineries, industrial complexes, military facilities and other similar facilities– Although this is not a specific restriction to flights in this areas,

it is expected that good judgment be used when operating in the vicinity of these areas and to avoid loitering.

• 14 CFR Section 99.7 details regulations regarding aircraft in the vicinity of above mentioned locations.

NOTAMs and TFRs


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Washington, DC Area Flight Restrictions

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• 3 flight restrictions in place:– DC Metropolitan Area Flight Restricted Zone (FRZ)– Special Federal Aviation Regulation 94– DC Metropolitan Air Defense Identification Zone (DC.ADIZ)

• There are special procedures in place for operating in this area. Both AOPA and the FAA offer training on specific procedures in place.

• Most flight schools in that area require the training course before renting to customers who intend to fly in that area.

DC Area Flight Restrictions


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• An area under a Presidential TFR is considered “National Defense Airspace”– 30 nm restriction around the president, with a 10 nm radius no-fly zone for

non-scheduled flights.– Usually includes airspace up to FL 180– NOTAM will be issued for the exact airspace affected.

• Exceptions– Regularly scheduled air carrier or cargo flights– Air ambulance, law enforcement, etc– Aircraft under 2 way radio communication with ATC who are receiving a

discreet squawk code• It is completely ATC’s discretion on whether or not you can fly

through the restricted area. VFR aircraft are always responsible for their own separation. I have even heard IFR aircraft get told they could not go through it and received vectors around it.

Presidential TFRs


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• FAA website • AOPA website• Flight Service Station and Weather

Briefing• DUATS online briefing

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Sources of TFR Information


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Why you should check for TFRs

PLAY VIDEO

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Intercept Procedures – NOTAM 4/4386

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• NOTAM 4/4386 – SPECIAL NOTICE... NATIONAL AIRSPACE SYSTEM INTERCEPT PROCEDURES. AVIATORS SHALL REVIEW THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION AERONAUTICAL INFORMATION MANUAL (AIM) FOR INTERCEPTION PROCEDURES, CHAPTER 5, SECTION 6, PARAGRAPH 5-6-2. ALL AIRCRAFT OPERATING IN UNITED STATES NATIONAL AIRSPACE, IF CAPABLE, SHALL MAINTAIN A LISTENING WATCH ON VHF GUARD 121.5 OR UHF 243.0. IF AN AIRCRAFT IS INTERCEPTED BY U.S. MILITARY AIRCRAFT AND FLARES ARE DISPENSED, THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES ARE TO BE FOLLOWED: FOLLOW THE INTERCEPT'S VISUAL SIGNALS, CONTACT AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL IMMEDIATELY ON THE LOCAL FREQUENCY OR ON VHF GUARD 121.5 OR UHF GUARD 243.0, AND COMPLY WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN BY THE INTERCEPTING AIRCRAFT INCLUDING VISUAL SIGNALS IF UNABLE RADIO CONTACT. BE ADVISED THAT NONCOMPLIANCE MAY RESULT IN THE USE OF FORCE. WIE UNTIL UFN

Intercept Procedures


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• If you are intercepted by a U.S. Military or law enforcement aircraft, immediately:1. Follow the instructions given by the intercepting aircraft.2. Notify ATC, if possible3. Attempt to contact the intercepting aircraft and/or ATC on the

emergency frequency 121.5 MHz, giving the identity and position of your aircraft and the nature of the flight.

4. If equipped with a transponder, squawk 7700, unless otherwise instructed by ATC.

5. If any instructions received by radio from any sources conflict with those given by the intercepting aircraft by visual or radio signals, request clarification while continuing to comply with the instructions given by the intercepting aircraft.

Intercept Procedures


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Visual Intercept Signals

Intercepting AircraftSignal

Meaning InterceptedAircraft Response

Meaning

Rocks wings; after acknowledgement initiates a slow level turn, typically to the left, into the desired heading

You have been intercepted

Rocks wings, follows intercepting aircraft's lead

I understand and will comply

Night operations = flashing of navigation lights

Night = flash navigation lights

Performs an abrupt breakaway maneuver with a climbing 90 degree turn without crossing the intercepted aircraft’s flight path

You may proceed Rocks wings I understand and will comply

Circles airport, lowers landing gear, and files over runway in the direction of landing

Land at this airport Lowers landing gear, follows intercepting aircraft and lands if runway is safe

I understand and will comply

Night = additionally turns on landing lights

Night = turn on landing light


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Visual Intercept Signals

Intercepted AircraftSignal

Meaning InterceptingAircraft Response

Meaning

Raises landing gear while flying over runway between 1000’ and 2000’ and continues to circle airport

This airport is inadequate If the intercepted aircraft is required to go to an alternate airport, intercepting aircraft will raise landing gear and use intercept procedures

Understood, follow me

Night operations = intercepted aircraft will flash landing lights while passing over runway

To release the intercepted aircraft, the intercepting aircraft will perform a breakaway maneuver

Understood, you may proceed

Pilot switches all available lights on and off at regular intervals

Cannot comply Performs breakaway maneuver Understood

Pilot switches all available lights on and off at irregular intervals

In distress Performs breakaway maneuver Understood


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• It is very important to check NOTAMS and TFRs before you depart, even if it’s a beautiful day outside.

• Flight Service may not be aware of all TFRs, so during sports seasons make it a key point to check for events and games that qualify under NOTAM 9/5151

• Talking to ATC does NOT give you clearance through a TFR.

• Follow all instructions given in the event you are intercepted.

• And as always, make safety your priority when flying.

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Conclusion


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Questions?

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tfrs in the houston area

Documents

specific tfr

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fdc notam

tfr format1

flight service

flight path

following events

safety of flight purposesdod