Be Sure To Check Before YOU Fly

The news reports paint a grim picture: southern California is burning, with a line of fires spreading from north of the Los Angeles basin down to San Diego. Fueled by the harsh Santa Ana winds, the fires continue to resist the best efforts of firefighters, and steady bombardments by aerial firebomber crews.

If it isn't already clear, let us stress now is NOT the time to be flying your Skyhawk over a large section of Southern California. To reinforce that point, the FAA has issued a series of TFRs over much of the area.

Temporary Flight Restrictions have become a sad reality for pilots today, mostly due to increased security measures in the aftermath of 9/11. No matter how you may feel about the Washington DC ADIZ, however, you can't argue that TFRs dealing with safety issues such as wildfires are a necessary and valuable notice to pilots.

For the most part, the area covered by a firefighting TFR is limited to a cone-shaped area around the actual wildfire. Most TFRs only cover an area up to approximately 5,000 ft AGL, to provide a safe operating area for firefighting aircraft to maneuver (note that altitudes on all TFRs are given in MSL, mean sea level.)

However, keep in mind that the smoke (and ash) from the actual fire can climb a lot higher than that. Just because you CAN, technically, fly over a wildfire above the TFR altitude restriction, doesn't mean you should. It's better to give the area a wide berth, if able... your engine will thank you.

Also be on the lookout for aerial water tankers that may be flying to the fire from their base of operations, or back from the scene to reload with fire suppressant and fuel.

There are other factors to consider, as well... which is why Aero-News encourages our readers to take the time to refresh their memories on the definitions and procedures for all TFRs -- not just firefighting or other safety restrictions -- at the first FMI link below.

Also be sure to check out the latest TFR issuances on the FAA's website before you fly. We try to post ALL TFRs in a timely manner on Aero-News... but while the FAA never sleeps, occasionally WE have to... and there have been times lately that even we can't keep up with all the TFRs posted by the FAA.

As always... fly safe, and have fun! And, keep safety in mind ALWAYS.

FMI: Read The FAA's Information Sheet On TFRs (pdf), www.tfr.faa.gov