Training Tip: 'A high degree of public interest'

There’s another type of TFR that can go live on short notice—and while an unaware pilot wouldn’t face the unnerving possibility of interception by a fighter jet for an incursion, other risks, such as collision, or disrupting disaster relief or firefighting operations, might threaten the safety of aircraft occupants and persons on the ground.

"(1)Protect persons and property on the surface or in the air from a hazard associated with an incident on the surface;

(2)provide a safe environment for the operation of disaster relief aircraft; or

(3) prevent an unsafe congestion of sightseeing and other aircraft above an incident or event which may generate a high degree of public interest."

A well-intentioned but ill-informed pilot flying over an incident on the surface, or an area stricken by a natural disaster, to take pictures or simply check out the situation out of curiosity can exert an enormously disruptive influence on activities below, even scuttling crucial flight operations.

That pilot may be exposing himself or herself to a risk that also concerns airborne emergency responders and aerial firefighting flights: interference from drones being operated without authorization in the affected airspace.

TFRs of all sorts are known for their propensity to appear on short notice, demanding pilots to carefully monitor notams. Hazard-related TFRs are especially prone to sudden activation and periodic changes to their configuration and active periods, and fire-related TFRs are a notable example, as a Bureau of Land Management official who coordinates airspace issues with the FAA recently outlined for AOPA.

Checking for TFR notams is always a good idea when planning a flight. Add to your TFR understanding—and build up your ability to avoid an airspace incursion—by reading up on the regulation that explains the purpose, prohibitions, and exceptions to flight restrictions imposed when there’s a crisis on the ground.