Be Aware: TFRs Subject to Rapid Change

EAA works for better alert system

November 10 2011 – As the beginnings of the 2012 campaign season are stirring, it’s an excellent time to remind ourselves that temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) will become more numerous in the coming months because of national campaign activity.

A thorough check of the local NOTAMs and TFRs are important as a preflight routine. However, when major political events such as President Obama’s recent bus tour take place, TFRs can be issued on a rolling basis, being imposed and canceled along the motorcade route. That can cause pilots to be in violation, even when they thought they had prepared properly. On longer missions, a mid-flight check of updated NOTAMs can save a lot of hassle later.

EAA and other aviation groups are dismayed at the sometimes random imposition of TFRs without adequate advance warning. We continue to urge the Transportation Security Administration to address the problem with the Secret Service, which makes the ultimate decisions on TFRs for the president, vice president, and other key leaders.

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