AOPA objects to large TFR over Kennebunkport, Maine, impacting 16 GA airports

The FAA today issued a 30-nautical-mile-radius temporary flight restriction (TFR) around Kennebunkport, Maine, October 4-6 while President Bush visits the family compound. The notice establishes a 10-nm "no-fly" zone around the residence of former President George H. W. Bush (the area depicted at P-67 on navigational charts). Operations between 10-30 nm of the Bush compound are restricted to aircraft on an active IFR or VFR flight plan with a discrete beacon code assigned by ATC. (For ATC contact information, see the Bridgeport AFSS Web site.)

"AOPA finds this new trend toward larger flight restrictions extremely disturbing," said Melissa Bailey, AOPA vice president of air traffic. "Even though the terrorist threat level has dropped from 'orange' to 'yellow,' we seem to be moving backward instead of forward in the area of airspace restrictions." AOPA contacted the FAA and TSA to object to this latest airspace restriction and will continue to work with all federal agencies to reduce the number and size of future flight restrictions.

The restriction completely closes two airports, Biddeford (B19) and Goosefair, while impacting operations at 14 others. Those include: Portland International (PWM), Limington Harmon (63B), Sanford Regional (SFM), Skyhaven (DAW), Littlebrook (3B4), Pease International (PSM), Hampton (7B3), Sky Dive Lebanon, Action, Buzzy, Little Ossipee Lake, Douglas, Webster, and Oak Knoll airports. Combined, these airports are home to more than 450 aircraft and host over 270,000 general aviation landings and takeoffs per year.

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