Federal Aviation
Administration
TFRs in the
Houston Area
FAASTeam
Presented to: General Audience
By: Sarah Rovner
Date: 7-16-13
Overview
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Regulations Regarding TFRs
General TFRs
Presidential TFRs
Intercept procedures
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Regulations and TFRs
Regulations Regarding TFRs
FAA Temporary Flight Restrictions:
• FAR § 91.137 describes the procedures regarding TFRs in the
vicinity of disaster/hazard areas (example: firefighting
operations)
• FAR § 91.138 describes the procedures regarding TFRs in
national disaster areas in the State of Hawaii
• FAR § 91.141 describes the restriction for flights in proximity of
the President.
• FAR § 91.144 describes temporary flight restrictions when the
barometric pressure exceeds 31 inches of Mercury
• FAR § 91.145 describes TFRs put in place for major sporting
events or aerial demonstrations.
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Types of TFRs
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Presidential
Special Events
Disaster/Hazard Areas
Homeland Security
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TFR Format
1. Location of the TFR area
2. Effective period
3. Defined area
4. Altitudes affected
5. FAA coordination facility and telephone
number
6. Reason for the TFR
7. Agency directing relief activities (if applicable)
and telephone number
8. Any other information considered appropriate.
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General TFRs
Management of Aircraft Operations in the Vicinity of
Aerial Demonstrations and Major Sporting Events
Under FAR § 91.145, the following events MAY be issued a TFR via
NOTAM with the specific location and altitudes of the restriction:
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Blue Angels demonstration
Thunderbirds demonstration
Golden Knights parachute demonstration
Summer/Winter Olympic games
Annual Tournament of Roses Football Game
World Cup Soccer
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
World Series
Kodak Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
Sandia Classic Hang Gliding Competition
Indianapolis 500 Race
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General TFRs
FDC NOTAM 9/5151
Which of the following events would NOT quality for a TFR under
FDC NOTAM 9/5151? (ask audience question)
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National Football League game
Major League Baseball
Indy Car Race
NCAA Division One Football Game
NASCAR Sprint Cup
Outdoor concert by a popular band
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General TFRs
Requirements for the issue of a TFR under FDC
NOTAM 9/5151:
• Stadium having a seating capacity of 30,000 or
more
• 1 hour before and 1 hour after the qualifying event
• All aircraft and parachute operations are prohibited
within a 3 nm radius up to and including 3000 agl.
• Exclusions:
– Flights conducted for operational purposes of the event
– Flights authorized with an approved waiver
– Aircraft authorized by and in contact with ATC for operational or safety of
flight purposes
– DOD, law enforcement, and air ambulance
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General TFRs
• Flight Service MAY or MAY NOT be aware of a
specific TFR for a general sporting event under
NOTAM 9/5151
• Just because you are in contact with ATC does
NOT mean you are automatically cleared through
the TFR. If you are VFR and receiving flight
following services, you are ALWAYS responsible
for your flight path and to avoid special airspace.
• AOPA has a good resource for a list of qualifying
stadiums and events:
– http://www.aopa.org/Flight-Planning/Tfrs/Stadiums-andSpeedways
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Stadiums in the
Houston Area
• Reliant Stadium (71,500) – Houston Texans
games
• Minute Maid Park (40,950) – Houston Astros
games
• Rice Stadium (70,000) – NCAA Games
• University of Houston Robertson Stadium
(32,000) – NCAA Games
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NOTAMs and TFRs
Blanket NOTAMS & Special Security Instructions
• NOTAM 4/0811 – Special Notice – Pilots are
strongly advised to avoid the airspace above, or in
proximity to such sites as power plants (nuclear,
hydro-electric, or coal), dams, refineries, industrial
complexes, military facilities and other similar
facilities
– Although this is not a specific restriction to flights in this areas,
it is expected that good judgment be used when operating in
the vicinity of these areas and to avoid loitering.
• 14 CFR Section 99.7 details regulations regarding
aircraft in the vicinity of above mentioned
Federal Aviation
locations.
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DC Area Flight Restrictions
Washington, DC Area Flight Restrictions
• 3 flight restrictions in place:
– DC Metropolitan Area Flight Restricted Zone (FRZ)
– Special Federal Aviation Regulation 94
– DC Metropolitan Air Defense Identification Zone (DC.ADIZ)
• There are special procedures in place for operating
in this area. Both AOPA and the FAA offer training
on specific procedures in place.
• Most flight schools in that area require the training
course before renting to customers who intend to
fly in that area.
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Presidential TFRs
• An area under a Presidential TFR is considered “National
Defense Airspace”
– 30 nm restriction around the president, with a 10 nm radius no-fly zone for
non-scheduled flights.
– Usually includes airspace up to FL 180
– NOTAM will be issued for the exact airspace affected.
• Exceptions
– Regularly scheduled air carrier or cargo flights
– Air ambulance, law enforcement, etc
– Aircraft under 2 way radio communication with ATC who are receiving a
discreet squawk code
• It is completely ATC’s discretion on whether or not you can fly
through the restricted area. VFR aircraft are always responsible
for their own separation. I have even heard IFR aircraft get told
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they could not go through it and received vectors
around
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Sources of TFR
Information
• FAA website
• AOPA website
• Flight Service Station and Weather
Briefing
• DUATS online briefing
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Why you should check for TFRs
PLAY VIDEO
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Intercept Procedures
Intercept Procedures – NOTAM 4/4386
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NOTAM 4/4386 – SPECIAL NOTICE... NATIONAL AIRSPACE SYSTEM
INTERCEPT PROCEDURES. AVIATORS SHALL REVIEW THE
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION AERONAUTICAL
INFORMATION MANUAL (AIM) FOR INTERCEPTION PROCEDURES,
CHAPTER 5, SECTION 6, PARAGRAPH 5-6-2. ALL AIRCRAFT
OPERATING IN UNITED STATES NATIONAL AIRSPACE, IF
CAPABLE, SHALL MAINTAIN A LISTENING WATCH ON VHF GUARD
121.5 OR UHF 243.0. IF AN AIRCRAFT IS INTERCEPTED BY U.S.
MILITARY AIRCRAFT AND FLARES ARE DISPENSED, THE
FOLLOWING PROCEDURES ARE TO BE FOLLOWED: FOLLOW THE
INTERCEPT'S VISUAL SIGNALS, CONTACT AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL
IMMEDIATELY ON THE LOCAL FREQUENCY OR ON VHF GUARD
121.5 OR UHF GUARD 243.0, AND COMPLY WITH THE
INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN BY THE INTERCEPTING AIRCRAFT
INCLUDING VISUAL SIGNALS IF UNABLE RADIO CONTACT. BE
ADVISED THAT NONCOMPLIANCE MAY RESULT INFederal
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Intercept Procedures
• If you are intercepted by a U.S. Military or law enforcement
aircraft, immediately:
1. Follow the instructions given by the intercepting aircraft.
2. Notify ATC, if possible
3. Attempt to contact the intercepting aircraft and/or ATC on the
emergency frequency 121.5 MHz, giving the identity and position
of your aircraft and the nature of the flight.
4. If equipped with a transponder, squawk 7700, unless otherwise
instructed by ATC.
5. If any instructions received by radio from any sources conflict
with those given by the intercepting aircraft by visual or radio
signals, request clarification while continuing to comply with the
instructions given by the intercepting aircraft.
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Visual Intercept Signals
Intercepting Aircraft
Signal
Meaning
Intercepted
Aircraft Response
Meaning
Rocks wings; after
acknowledgement
initiates a slow level
turn, typically to the
left, into the desired
heading
You have been
intercepted
Rocks wings, follows
intercepting aircraft's
lead
I understand and will
comply
Night operations =
flashing of
navigation lights
Night = flash navigation
lights
Performs an abrupt
breakaway
maneuver with a
climbing 90 degree
turn without
crossing the
intercepted
aircraft’s flight path
You may proceed
Rocks wings
I understand and will
comply
Circles airport, lowers
landing gear,
and files
over runway in the
direction of landing
Land at this airport
Lowers landing gear,
follows intercepting
aircraft and lands if
runway is safe
I understand and will
comply
Night = additionally turns
on landing lights
Night = turn on landing
light
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Visual Intercept Signals
Intercepted Aircraft
Signal
Meaning
Intercepting
Aircraft Response
Meaning
Raises landing gear while flying
over runway between
1000’ and 2000’ and
continues to circle airport
This airport is inadequate
If the intercepted aircraft is
required to go to an
alternate airport,
intercepting aircraft will
raise landing gear and
use intercept procedures
Understood, follow me
To release the intercepted
aircraft, the intercepting
aircraft will perform a
breakaway maneuver
Understood, you may proceed
Night operations = intercepted
aircraft will flash landing
lights while passing over
runway
Pilot switches all available
lights on and off at
regular intervals
Cannot comply
Performs breakaway maneuver
Understood
Pilot switches all available
lights on and off at
irregular intervals
In distress
Performs breakaway maneuver
Understood
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Conclusion
• It is very important to check NOTAMS and TFRs
before you depart, even if it’s a beautiful day outside.
• Flight Service may not be aware of all TFRs, so
during sports seasons make it a key point to check
for events and games that qualify under NOTAM
9/5151
• Talking to ATC does NOT give you clearance through
a TFR.
• Follow all instructions given in the event you are
intercepted.
• And as always, make safety your priority when flying.
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Questions?
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