[JYO] FAA issues new "blanket sporting event" notam

FAA issues new "blanket sporting event" notam

Sept. 27 — Eliminating over a year's uncertainty for general aviation pilots, 
the FAA has issued <A 
HREF="http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/newsitems/2001/010915tfr.html#2/0199";>a new 
notam</A>, significantly revising the infamous "Catch 
22" notam 1/3353 governing flight restrictions near large open-air events. 
AOPA objected to the previous notam because it did not define covered events, 
hours of the event, or properly address operations at airports within the TFR 
airspace.

The new notam adopts almost every AOPA recommendation, including limiting the 
airspace restrictions to Major League Baseball, NFL, NCAA Division IA 
stadiums, and major speedways (NASCAR) seating more than 30,000 people. It 
limits the effective time of the restrictions from one hour before the 
scheduled start time of the event to one hour after and provides for arrivals 
and departures at airports within TFR airspace. The TFR dimensions remain 
unchanged and prohibit operations within 3 nautical miles and 3,000 feet.

"TSA led the development of this notam to address specific issues related to 
security," said AOPA Senior Vice President Andy Cebula. "With the FAA's 
release of this notam, there is no reason for Congress to act on legislation 
currently being considered in the Senate and the House on sporting event 
overflights."

Under this new notam, aerial advertisers and others needing access to the 
airspace during the event will be able to obtain a waiver after passing an 
expedited security clearance. They will be subject to operating restrictions 
and random law enforcement inspections. Information regarding authorized 
waiver holders will be posted on a secure Web site for use by law 
enforcement, so they conduct random verification of aircraft 
operator/crewmember identification.

Operators can apply for a waiver online at <A 
HREF="http://www.faa.gov/ats/ata/waiver/";>www.faa.gov/ats/ata/waiver/</A>. 
Pilots will be able obtain a provisional waiver through an expedited criminal 
background check.

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