FAA issues restrictive Super Bowl TFR

After weeks of intense negotiations between the FAA, Secret Service, and other members of the security community, the FAA has issued a notam establishing a temporary flight restriction (TFR) around New Orleans during Super Bowl XXXVI activities (February 1-4) [ see graphic]. Despite the best efforts of both the FAA and AOPA, the Secret Service and Department of Defense insisted on a 45-nm-radius TFR around Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY). The TFR becomes effective February 1, 2002, at 6 a.m. and runs through February 3 at 11:59 p.m. Thanks to the FAA's dogged insistence, general aviation aircraft can operate within the 45-nm TFR (except for within 3 nm of the Superdome) February 1 through noon, February 3, provided they are on a VFR or IFR flight plan, maintain communications with ATC, and have been assigned a discrete transponder code.

Beginning at 11 a.m. on game day, February 3, no Part 91 general aviation aircraft are permitted within 20 nm of MSY (the outside ring of Class B airspace). In addition, no VFR flights are permitted between 20 and 45 nm of MSY and GA aircraft must be on an IFR flight plan and landing or departing from an airport within the 20-45 nm ring. This TFR will remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. February 3. Procedures have already been established for IFR Super Bowl arrivals.

AOPA continues to actively work to mitigate the impact of flight restrictions throughout the National Airspace System. Pilots are urged to familiarize themselves with all relevant notams prior to each flight.

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