AOPA is urging pilots who will be conducting flight operations in the northeast in September and October to familiarize themselves with temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) that will be in effect in the vicinities of Washington, D.C., New York City, and Philadelphia in connection with Pope Francis' U.S. visit, including stop at the Seventieth General Assembly of the United Nations.
The FAA has issued a flight advisory for the papal visit to Washington, D.C., Sept. 22 through 24. It alerts pilots that notams will be issued to modify the Washington, D.C., Special Flight Rules Area and Flight Restricted Zone with additional flight restrictions. The modifications will include the suspension of most flight waivers to operate within the flight restricted zone and Prohibited Area P-56.
The flight advisory also notes that "absolutely no drones are permitted within the Washington D.C. temporary flight restrictions."
Another flight advisory pertains to the Pope’s visit to New York City, during which he will attend the Seventieth United Nations General Assembly and participate in other activities including a multi-religious service at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum of the World Trade Center. The flight advisory advises pilots that multiple notams will be published to cover numerous VIP visits throughout the U.N. General Assembly from Sept.16 to Oct. 5.
"The restrictions in these notams will vary widely and may restrict or prohibit many types of flights, so pilots/aircraft operators should check notams before every flight," the flight advisory says.
A security notam that will be in effect from Sept. 16 through 24 was published Sept. 9 for a two-mile radius in the vicinity of LaGuardia Airport, and additional notams may be in effect during portions of the same period, the FAA said.
The FAA has published two notams for the Pope’s scheduled visit to Philadelphia on Sept. 26 and 27, during which he will participate in activities in connection with the World Meeting of Families and other events. The notams, FDC 5/6804 ZDC PA and FDC 5/6805 ZNY PA, prohibit flight operations from the surface to 17,999 feet msl within several defined-radius areas, at effective times listed in the notams.
Pilots are reminded that boundaries, effective times, and restrictions contained in notams can change with little or no notice. Pilots are strongly encouraged to contact flight service before flight, and to check frequently for possible changes before operating in affected areas.
