Air Travel and Its Constraints
Why are temporary air travel restrictions necessary?
Issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), TFRs are notices that restrict air travel to certain areas that can cause flights to be delayed, cancelled, or rerouted. So why are TFRs necessary?
What Is a TFR?
A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is a type of notice to airmen (NOTAM), a notification in the field of aviation issued by an official body to alert aircrafts or other airspace users of hazards along the route, both in the air and on land.
Temporary flight restrictions are notices issued to temporarily restrict aircrafts from flying through a particular area and must change route to avoid it. These air travel restrictions may be due to some special events, government activities, natural disasters, or circumstances that are seen to be a danger to the people on ground or in the aircraft.
A TFR is not something to take lightly for these notices are issued to ensure the safety of the people as well as properties. Violations regarding the implementation of TFRs can lead to suspension of the pilot’s license, civil penalty, or imprisonment. This flight restriction notice does not only pertain to manned aircrafts but as well as unmanned pilots (drones). Since TFRs are temporary, it should be regularly checked before each scheduled flight. The website of the Federal Aviation Administration posts the list of TFRs and air travel map that indicates the flight restriction designations.
What Are the Types of TFRs?
There are eight types of TFRs with varying reasons surrounding the issuance of these restrictions as well as the persons who can operate in these areas during the time they are issued as indicated in the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR).
Disaster/Hazard Areas Temporary Flight Restrictions
This flight restriction prohibits aircrafts to operate in the identified area due to specified hazard or condition so as to ensure the safety of persons and property on the ground or in the air from an incident on the site or to provide a safe environment for the operation of aircraft relief activities following a disaster. Only aircrafts participating in the relief activity with directions from an officer or an officer carrying law enforcement officials may operate within the area.
National Disaster Areas in the State of Hawaii Temporary Restrictions
This is a notice requested by the governor of the State of Hawaii or the governor’s designee to protect a declared national disaster area for humanitarian reasons. The NOTAM is effective for 90 days or until the national disaster designation is terminated.
Emergency Area Traffic Rules
This NOTAM is issued when the administrator determines an emergency in accordance to the FAA’s rules and regulations and air travel conditions.
Flight Restriction in the Proximity of the Presidential and Other Parties
No aircraft may operate over or at the vicinity of any area where the president, vice president, or other public figures are visiting or travelling by.
Flight Limitation in the Proximity of Space Flight Operations
This is a NOTAM issued within a designated area where space flight operations are performed.
Temporary Restriction on the Flight Operations during Abnormally High Barometric Pressure Conditions
This means no aircraft should operate due to high barometric pressure on the flight route.
Management of Aircraft Operations in the Vicinity of Aerial Demonstrations and Major Sporting Events
This restricts aircrafts to operate due to an aerial demonstration (e.g., United States Naval Flight Demonstration) or a major sporting event in the vicinity (e.g., Major League Baseball All-Star Game). There are many factors surrounding the issuance of the NOTAM, like the area of the activity, degree of public interest, the number of possible spectators, weather, and more factors mainly focusing on the safety of persons in the area.
Special Security Instructions
Any aircraft operating within an ADIZ or Defense Area must, at all times, comply with the issued special security instructions by the Administrator.
Though there are a number of factors on the issuance of air travel restrictions, there is only one reason of its existence and that is to ensure the safety of the public. This reason is enough to say that temporary flight restrictions are necessary enough to aviation.
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References
Davidson, Jason. 2014. “Temporary Flight Restrictions: What You Need to Know.” Universal Weather & Aviation, Inc, June 30. Accessed May 4, 2018. http://www.universalweather.com/blog/2014/06/temporary-flight-restrictions-what-you-need-to-know/.
Rupprecht, Jonathan. “TFR (Temporary Flight Restrictions).” Rupprecht Law P. A. Accessed May 4, 2018. https://jrupprechtlaw.com/tfr-temporary-flight-restriction.
Snowflake Software. “The Top 7 Things You Need to Know About NOTAMS.” Accessed May 3, 2018. https://snowflakesoftware.com/news/top-7-things-need-know-notams/.
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