FAA reminder: Airspace over Salt Lake City is restricted during Olympics

If you plan to fly anywhere near Salt Lake City, Utah, over the next nine days, know the rules! Late this afternoon, the FAA asked AOPA to remind pilots that a 45-nm-radius airspace restriction remains in effect over Salt Lake City (see SFAR-95, notams, and graphic) through February 24. According to the deputy administrator for FAA Air Traffic, since the start of the games, there have been seven airspace violations and several incidences where pilots were intercepted by fighter aircraft and forced to land. The FAA is asking all pilots who intend to operate in the Salt Lake area to please review current procedures and contact flight service for updates.

The 45-mile Olympic Ring Restricted Airspace went into effect on February 8 and will continue through February 24, 2002. The FAA and U.S. Secret Service believe this action was necessary for the safe operation and management of aircraft operating within the Salt Lake City area. All flights must arrive at or depart from the following airports: Salt Lake City International (SLC), Ogden Municipal Airport (OGD), Provo Municipal Airport (PVU), Heber City Municipal-Ross McDonald Field Airport (36U), Salt Lake City Municipal Airport (U42), and Skypark Airport (BTF) (for rotorcraft operations only). In addition, the FAA has established a reservation system to manage instrument flight rules (IFR) operations into and out of key airports in the Salt Lake City area.

All aircraft, except for commercial passenger and cargo operations that are approved to enter the 45-mile ring, must first stop at one of the four gateway airports for inspection. The four gateway airports are Boise Air Terminal (Gowen Field) (BOI), Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (LAS), City of Colorado Springs Municipal Airport (COS), and Walker Field in Grand Junction, CO (GJT).