But If You Own A Boat, You Can Get Close... Go Figure
This year's Super Bowl will be
subject to unprecedented security measures — matching those
afforded President Bush when he travels. The Super Bowl in
Jacksonville, Florida, will be surrounded by a 10-nm no-fly zone
and a de facto air defense identification zone (ADIZ) from 10 to 30
nm in which pilots must be on an active flight plan and "squawk and
talk" with air traffic control. The FAA is expected to issue the
notam establishing the Super Bowl TFR this week.
"We don't know what's prompting the higher security level," said
AOPA President Phil Boyer. "We do know the Coast Guard proposal for
securing the waterways near the stadium allows for boats and ships
with far greater cargo-carrying ability than most GA aircraft to
move through the security areas with prior approval, yet GA
aircraft are going to be shut out.
"In addition, the Coast Guard is soliciting public comment from
the boating community on their proposal — a privilege never
afforded the aviation community anytime TFRs have been imposed on
us."
Security officials are classifying the game as a Level 1 Event,
just one step below a National Security Event such as last summer's
political conventions or this month's presidential inauguration.
Those same officials say they need the larger restriction because
Level 1 precautions include patrols by the Civil Air Patrol and
fighters from the North American Aerospace Defense Command
(NORAD).
Recent security restrictions, including those for the
inauguration, have been over the top in the limitations they've
imposed on GA. AOPA has argued that such extreme limitations damage
commerce and restrict freedoms for GA pilots unfairly while doing
little or nothing to shield special events from terrorists.
While the notam has not yet been issued, AOPA has received
information that pilots can expect the restriction will be in
effect from 1630 until 2300 local time on Sunday, February 6. The
TFR likely will be centered on a point 6.4 miles from the Craig
(CRG) Vortac on the 263 radial. No GA flights will be permitted
within a 10-nm radius of that point. Operations between the 10- and
30-nm radius will be permitted for ingress and egress, and only if
the pilot is on an active IFR or VFR flight plan, is in radio
contact with air traffic control, and is squawking a discrete,
ATC-assigned transponder code. Only scheduled air carrier or air
cargo flights that conform to TSA standards will be permitted into
Jacksonville International Airport (JAX, pictured below) or Craig
Municipal Airport (CRG).
The TFR does include cutouts for St. Augustine (SGJ), St. Mary's
(4J6), and Hilliard Airpark (01J) airports.