 Flight restrictions and notams |
Winter Olympic Games airspace closed during closing ceremonies
Salt Lake City-area pilots are reminded that the airspace within 45 nautical miles of SLC International will be closed to all air traffic during the Winter Olympic Games closing ceremonies this Sunday (February 24) from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. MST.
February 22, 2002
FAA reminder: Airspace over Salt Lake City is restricted during Olympics
Seven airspace violations since the start of the games cause concern
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.
February 15, 2002
FAA cancels two last-minute Winter Olympic TFRs
Brigham City Airport reopened to VFR operations during the games
The FAA has canceled two notams issued January 25 that would have established expanded temporary flight restriction areas (TFRs) around two Olympic venues. This cancellation reopens the Brigham City Airport (BMC) to VFR operations during the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Instrument approaches to BMC will not be authorized. A notam on that is expected later today.
AOPA had argued against the two expanded venue notams. With the imposition of the notams, AOPA had requested special air traffic procedures for Brigham City to facilitate operations in the TFR.
Read More >>Updated February 7, 2002
FAA releases 45-nm special flight rules area for 2002 Winter Olympics
AOPA continues efforts for local GA operations
The FAA has published its Olympic Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA) establishing a 45-nm area of restricted airspace around Salt Lake City Airport (SLC) beginning on February 8. That SFRA was first published in December, and then inexplicably withdrawn. Only aircraft operations accredited by the Utah Olympic Public Safety Command that have complied with the security programs set forth in the SFRA and are under positive air traffic control may operate in the Olympic ring airspace. Transient aircraft must clear a security check at one of four "gateway" airports that are more than 180 miles distant from SLC.
AOPA pushed hard for procedures to accommodate the needs of local pilots but has been unsuccessful so far.
"While AOPA understands the need for security at the Olympics, we are disappointed that security officials ignored AOPA's recommendations to allow local operations in a manner that did not jeopardize security," said AOPA President Phil Boyer.
AOPA continues its work with congressional representatives in hopes of securing a last-minute change to the gateway airport provision.
January 16, 2002
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