Seem Almost Designed to Trap Innocent Pilots
AOPA is continuing to push the federal government for more
timely, reasonable and understandable NOTAMs establishing
presidential movement temporary flight restrictions (TFRs). Pilots
in the Pacific Northwest are the latest caught in TFR snare. And if
it hadn't been for AOPA's quick action, there would have been
no-fly zones 60 nautical miles in diameter around Redmond and
Sunriver (OR).
"The presidential
movement NOTAMs for the Redmond area were almost impossible to
decipher," said AOPA President Phil Boyer (left in photo, with
TSA's Loy). "AOPA staff spent hours poring over these complex
notams and couldn't understand what pilots were expected to do; and
it was no wonder. We found some of the NOTAMs had missing text and
errors, including incorrect latitude/longitude coordinates. FAA
reissued some of the NOTAMs multiple times after we pointed out the
errors, including a no-fly zone that covered nine times more
surface area than it should have," Boyer said.
For example, FAA reissued the NOTAM for Redmond and Sunriver
four times as AOPA staff caught errors and asked questions. Perhaps
the most egregious error was original NOTAM language that
inadvertently created two absolute no-fly zones for general
aviation, 30 nm radius. (Presidential TFRs typically have an inner,
10 nm ring area prohibiting all GA flight, but GA aircraft
"squawking and talking" on flight plans are allowed to fly directly
to and from airports within the 10-30nm area.)
"If AOPA's technical staff, which looks at NOTAMs with a
magnifying glass every day has these kind of problems, how in the
world can the FAA and security officials expect pilots to
understand and comply with the TFRs?" Boyer continued. "It's saying
the obvious, but apparently we have to: NOTAMs must be timely,
accurate, and understandable."
AOPA is urging pilots to write to President Bush and tell him
about the impact his visit has had on your flying. Letters or faxes
are generally more effective than e-mails. Please send a copy to
the AOPA, too.
Here's where the President gets his mail:
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20500
Send White House faxes to 202/456-2461.
In addition, AOPA is collecting pilot reports of operational
difficulties involving presidential TFRs. To submit a report,
simply fill out the form on AOPA Online.