Stay Out Or Else
NASA managers urge all
aircraft pilots to fully comply with the airspace restrictions
imposed around KSC prior to and during Space Shuttle launches and
landings. Bridge and waterway restrictions will also be in
effect.
"As always, we are coordinating with officials from the Eastern
Range and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to help provide a
safe launch environment for the Shuttle crew and for interested
spectators. Violating these restrictions is not only unsafe for the
astronauts and support crews, it's unsafe for the violator," said
KSC Launch Director Mike Leinbach.
Space Shuttle Discovery's first launch opportunity is on July 13
at 3:51 p.m. and the launch window extends for five minutes. At
NASA's request, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Coast Guard surveillance
aircraft will patrol KSC's airspace boundaries on launch day.
Violators will be intercepted by patrol forces, thoroughly
investigated and will be subject to FAA enforcement action. A
number of restrictions remain in effect around the Kennedy Space
Center (KSC) during the hours immediately following the launch of a
Space Shuttle.
Listed and described below are restrictions that apply to
pilots, motor vehicle operators and boaters utilizing airspace,
bridges and waterways that lead to KSC.
KSC AREA AVIATION RESTRICTIONS
For the launch of Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-114,
all restricted areas surrounding the Kennedy Space Center will be
active and the area covered by flight restrictions has once again
been expanded for this launch. The length of time the restrictions
will be in effect prior to launch has also been extended.
Due to international terrorist activities, heightened security
is essential to protect the Space Shuttle as a national asset. An
inadvertent unauthorized incursion into the area of the Cape
Canaveral Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) could cause a scrub in
the launch of Discovery, the activation of airspace defenses and an
FAA enforcement action. Local pilots are asked to help NASA by
respecting these temporary but necessary restrictions so that the
launch can occur on time and without incident.
The restricted areas for the KennedySpace Center and Cape
Canaveral Air Force Station are in effect on a continuous basis and
are limited to official aircraft only, off-limits to general
aviation pilots. The restricted air space extends from the surface
to but not including 14,000 feet and covers the area bounded by the
Indian River to the west, Port Canaveral to the south, the city of
Oak Hill to the north, and three miles over the Atlantic Ocean to
the east.
On launch day these restricted areas will be expanded and will
be activated beginning at launch minus 9 hours. On Wednesday, July
13 this occurs at 6:45 a.m. EDT and remains in effect until 6:50
p.m. EDT. Should the launch be scrubbed after the astronauts have
boarded Space Shuttle Discovery, the restrictions will remain in
effect for three hours after the postponement has been
announced.
FAA Part 91, Part 125, general aviation and VFR operations are
prohibited within a 30 nautical mile radius of Launch Pad 39-B from
the surface to but not including 18,000 feet (located on the
Melbourne VOR/DME 004-degree radial at 30 nautical miles). Among
the general aviation airports affected within this area are Space
Coast Regional Airport in Titusville, Arthur Dunn Airpark in
Titusville, Merritt Island Airport in Merritt Island, Rockledge
Airpark in Rockledge and Massey Ranch in Edgewater.
Within an airspace radius between 30 and 40 nautical miles of
Pad 39-B, a discrete transponder code must be obtained and
clearance granted from air traffic control before entering this
airspace. Continuous radio communications must be maintained.
Before flight, pilots should contact the FAA Flight Service
Station at 1-800/WxBrief (1-800/992-7433) for details of the
restrictions contained in the NOTAMS. In flight, outside Orlando
Class B airspace, pilots should contact Daytona Beach Approach
control on 134.95. In the Melbourne area contact Daytona Approach
on 132.65, or in the New Smyrna Beach area on 125.35. Flight
Service can also be reached locally by radio on the Titusville RCO
at 123.6 or the Melbourne RCO on 122.6. Advisories will also be
available from the control tower at Space Coast Regional Airport in
Titusville at 118.9 megahertz.
Among the airports affected within the 30-40 nautical mile
radius in which flight is permitted but under positive air traffic
control are Orlando International Airport, Orlando Executive
Airport, Orlando-Sanford International Airport, the New Smyrna
Beach and Spruce Creek airports, Melbourne International Airport
and Valkaria. Pilots are encouraged to consult the most recent FAA
aeronautical chart for Orlando Class B air space.