Pilots: Prepare for Super Bowl airspace restrictions
By AOPA ePublishing staff
Airports in the Phoenix area are already preparing for the increased traffic that Super Bowl XLII will bring. But pilots need to do their part to prepare as well. The FAA has issued a notam establishing a temporary flight restriction (TFR) around Phoenix for the Super Bowl on Feb. 3. It is scheduled to be in effect from 3 p.m. until 10:30 p.m. local.
Although AOPA argued against the overly large TFR, the government insisted on a 30-nautical-mile-radius TFR with a 10-nm-radius inner no-fly zone. The no-fly zone will shut down all operations at Glendale Municipal and Phoenix Goodyear airports during that time frame.
Beginning at 1 p.m. on game day, a small 2-nm-radius TFR will be centered on the stadium for pregame activities. It will be in effect until 3 p.m. Be aware that general aviation pilots flying within 10 to 30 nm of the stadium must file a flight plan, be assigned a discrete transponder code, and remain in radio contact with air traffic control. No loitering is permitted.
The FAA has decided not to use special traffic management procedures, electing instead to handle IFR operations through the airspace flow or ground delay programs as needed. Neither impact GA VFR traffic. For more information, read the FAA security event flight advisory and letter to airmen.
December 27, 2007
