News Archive

Anticipated holiday flight restrictions limited
TFRs for presidential travel, NYC, Rose Parade, Las Vegas

This New Year's weekend, AOPA is expecting only a limited number of temporary flight restrictions (TFRs), but pilots are urged to check notams before flying for the latest status of the airspace. TFRs already issued include restrictions for Waco and Crawford, Texas, and Jackson Hole, Wyoming, extending through January 2.

The FAA also has established TFRs over New York City and Las Vegas, Nevada, on New Year's Eve, and the Rose Parade in Pasadena, California, on New Year's Day.

The New York flight restrictions extend from the surface to 4,000 feet agl over portions of Manhattan from 8 p.m. on December 31 until 2 a.m. January 1, 2005. All GA operations within the TFR are prohibited.

The Las Vegas TFR covers a larger area, extending from the surface to 18,000 feet msl for a 7-nm radius of the LAS vortac. There are cutouts for North Las Vegas (VGT) and Henderson Executive (HND) airports.

Three TFRs will cover the Rose Parade in Pasadena, California, from 6 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on News Year's Day, extending from the surface to 5,000 feet agl.

And with the number of bowl games this weekend, pilots are reminded of the standing notam that prohibits flight below 3,000 feet agl within 3 nm of a stadium seating 30,000 or more people for NFL or NCAA division one football games. The prohibition extends from one hour before the game or event to one hour following the end of the event. There is an exemption allowing for normal traffic pattern operations at nearby airports.

Check notams immediately prior to flight to ensure you have the latest TFR information, regardless of where you may be flying.

December 30, 2004