The FAA on Friday afternoon rescinded one of the 16 "permanent" security-related temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) that AOPA has been pushing to eliminate. Effective immediately, the TFR around Whiteman Air Force Base in Knob Noster, Missouri, is canceled.
Just a week ago, AOPA President Phil Boyer again sent a letter to the Transportation Security Administration, saying, "AOPA members are asking, 'Isn't it time for temporary restrictions to be lifted given the reduced threat level, ending of hostilities in Iraq, and phase-out of Operation Liberty Shield?'"
"Today's cancellation is the first of many small steps it's going to take to get the National Airspace System back to normal," said Boyer. "But even though there's still a long way to go, we're pleased to finally see some movement."
The lifting of the 10-nm-radius, 18,000-foot ceiling TFR is especially good news for VFR pilots who used to follow U.S. Highway 50. The road ran through the middle of the TFR, and pilots had been forced to find alternate routes between Kansas City and Sedalia.
The change should also make life easier for pilots flying into and out of Skyhaven Airport (9K4) and Sedalia Memorial Airport (DMO), which are located just a few miles from what was the edge of the TFR.
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