President Obama Will Be Vacationing On The Island

Pilots planning to operate in the vicininty of Martha's Vineyard over the next week and a half need to pay very close attention to NOTAM's, and we suspect a lot of airplanes in that area will simply stay in their hangars until about Labor Day. A VIP TFR is set to go into effect in airspace surrounding Martha's Vineyard Thursday, August 19th, and be in effect until the 29th, as President Barack Obama vacations with his family on the resort island.

The FAA classifies the airspace defined in this advisory and the published NOTAM(s) as "National Defense Airspace". Pilots who do not adhere to the following procedures may be intercepted, detained and interviewed by law enforcement/security personnel. Any of the following additional actions may also be taken against a pilot who does not comply with the requirements or any special instructions or procedures announced in the NOTAM.

• The FAA may take administrative action, including imposing civil penalties and the suspension or revocation of airmen certificates.
• The United States Government may pursue criminal charges, including charges under Title 49 of the United States Code, Section 46307.
• The United States Government may use deadly force against the airborne aircraft, if it is determined that the aircraft poses an imminent security threat.

The TFR is set to go into effect at 1430 EDT Thursday, and remain active until 1430 EDT on the 29th. The FAA says the restrictions are designed to provide a safe and secure environment, but also ensure fair and equitable access to all airspace users, to the greatest extent possible. The restrictions will allow commercial flight operations to continue and are designed to minimize the impact on private pilots, according to the FAA.

The TFR reference point is located at 412335N/0703652W or the MVY VOR/DME from the surface up to but not including 18,000 MSL and will consist of a 30NM outer ring and a 10NM inner ring. All aircraft operations within the inner ring, are prohibited except for:

• Approved law enforcement, MEDEVAC/Air ambulance and military aircraft directly supporting the United States Secret Service (USSS) and the Office of the President of the United States.
• Regularly scheduled commercial passenger and all-cargo carriers operating under one of the following TSA-approved standard security programs/procedures: Aircraft Operator Standard Security Program (AOSSP), Full All-Cargo Aircraft Operator Standard Security Program (FACAOSSP), and Twelve Five Standard Security Program (TFSSP) All Cargo arriving into and/or departing from 14 CFR Part 139 airports.

All other aircraft not operating under TSA-approved standard security programs listed above and arriving KMVY must be security screened at a designated gateway airport. Aircraft departing KMVY will be security screened at KMVY. Aircraft must register for gateway access or KMVY departure at least 72 hours prior to the planned flight. Operators are advised to register as soon as possible to avoid any potential delays.
All emergency/life saving flights (medical/law enforcement/firefighting) operations must coordinate with ATC prior to their departure at 508-968-7126 to avoid potential delays. This number will become active two hours prior to the activation of the TFR. Other aircraft operations deemed appropriate by the United States Secret Service (USSS) and coordinated with the ATSC may be permitted.

All aircraft operations between the 10NMR inner ring and 30NMR outer ring, are prohibited unless:

• Aircraft entering, exiting or transitioning the outer ring remain in two-way radio communications with ATC at all times.
• Aircraft are on an active IFR or VFR flight plan and squawk the ATC assigned discrete beacon code continuously while operating within the TFR.
• Operations are limited to aircraft arriving or departing local airports. ATC may authorize transit operations however, aircraft may not loiter.

Though the FAA says the impact on private aviation is intended to be minimal, the list of aviation activities that are "not authorized" within the TFR includes:

• Flight Training
• Practice Instrument Approaches
• Aerobatic Flight
• Glider Operations
• Seaplane Operations
• Parachute Operations
• Ultralight Flight
• Hang Gliding
• Balloon Operations
• Agriculture/Crop Dusting
• Animal Population Control Flight Operations
• Banner Towing Operations
• Sightseeing Operations
• Maintenance Test Flights
• Model Aircraft Operations
• Model Rocketry
• UAS Operations

Westchester Co Airport (KHPN), Barnstable Municipal-Boardman/Poland Airport (KHYA), and Green State Airport (KPVD) have been designated as gateway airports during this TFR to accommodate aircraft arriving into KMVY. Aircraft must register for gateway access at least 72 hours prior to the planned flight.

The FAA has designated System Operations Support Center (SOSC) as the point of contact for this TFR. The SOSC hours of operation are published as 0600-2200 EDT M-F. The contact number published by the FAA is 202-267-8276.

It is recommended that all aircraft operators check NOTAMs frequently throughout this event for possible changes and to ensure you have the latest procedures.

FMI: www.faa.gov