New York airspace now 'normal'

General aviation operations in the New York area have now returned to the status that existed prior to this morning's American Airlines accident. AOPA has been working all day with the FAA ATC Command Center, FAA headquarters, and area airports to clarify the constantly changing status of the airspace.

The existing temporary flight restriction (TFR) that prohibits all Part 91 general aviation operations within 18 nm of the JFK VOR remains in effect. That TFR extends from the surface to infinity. Within 18 to 25 nm of JFK, Part 91 IFR operations are permitted. No VFR operations are permitted, except for flight training operations in aircraft weighing less than 4,000 pounds. Student solo is prohibited.

There is also a TFR over midtown Manhattan to provide an additional layer of security for United Nations dignitaries attending UN General Assembly meetings all week (see below). This UN TFR is a 2.5-nm ring from the surface to 18,000 feet msl and is centered on the U.N. headquarters building on the East River. This TFR only affects a limited number of helicopter operations that had previously obtained waivers to operate in that airspace.

FDC 1/2362 ZNY NY.. FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 12-16, 2001 LOCAL. PURSUANT TO TITLE 14, SECTION 91.141 OF THE CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS, AIRCRAFT FLIGHT OPERATIONS ARE PROHIBITED WITHIN THE FOLLOWING AREA UNLESS OTHERWISE AUTHORIZED BY ATC. 2.5 NMR BLW FL180 OF 404457N/735758W OR THE JFK 320011.3 FROM 0111121900 (1400 LOCAL 11/12/01) UNTIL 0111170100 (2000 LOCAL 11/16/01). MILITARY, LAW ENFORCEMENT AND EMERGENCY SUPPORT AIRCRAFT IN DIRECT SUPPORT ARE EXEMPT FROM THIS PROVISION. ALL NEW YORK METROPOLITAN AREA TEMPORARY FLIGHT RESTRICTION WAIVERS ISSUED PRIOR TO 12 NOVEMBER, 2001 ARE SUSPENDED DURING THE EFFECTIVE TIMES OF THIS NOTAM.