The FAA routinely issues "NOTAMs" restricting aviation where top government officials are. This week it was San Francisco, where President Obama is visiting today and tomorrow. From the AMA alert:
"A new FDC NOTAM/TFR has been issued for San Francisco, CA and the San Francisco Bay area beginning at 5:01p on Tuesday, 5/25, until 12:30p PDT on Wednesday, 5/26. The TFR is issued for security purposes to cover VIP movement in this area. Model aircraft operations are prohibited in this area during the specific times of the TFR. Please note that TFRs are subject to change with very short notice. Check back often for the most current NOTAM/TFR information.
Timely alerts are also available on the web or on you cell phone at: Twitter.com/amagov.
See the link to the TFR below for more detailed information regarding the restrictions:
- Area 1 (5/25, 5:01p - 6:15p PDT)
(30nm radius from Latitude: 37º37'09"N, Longitude: 122º22'31"W) - Area 2 (5/25, 5:01p - 6:15p PDT)
(10nm radius from Latitude: 37º37'09"N, Longitude: 122º22'31"W) - Area 3 (5/25, 5:30p - 5/26, 10:00a PDT)
(30nm radius from Latitude: 37º47'44"N, Longitude: 122º25'24"W) - Area 4 (5/25, 5:30p - 5/26, 10:00a PDT)
(9nm radius from Latitude: 37º47'44"N, Longitude: 122º25'24"W) - Area 5 (5/26, 9:15a - 12:00p PDT)
(30nm radius from Latitude: 37º29'00"N, Longitude: 121º56'09"W) - Area 6 (5/26, 9:15a - 12:00p PDT)
(10nm radius from Latitude: 37º29'00"N, Longitude: 121º56'09"W) - Area 7 (5/26, 11:15a - 12:30p PDT)
(30nm radius from Latitude: 37º37'09"N, Longitude: 122º22'31"W) - Area 8 (5/26, 11:15a - 12:30p PDT)
(10nm radius from Latitude: 37º37'09"N, Longitude: 122º22'31"W)
Comments
I was just interested if there is an official statement WHY certain things are not allowed. That question should be allowed...
I disagree that it is that simple. If a person would have an RC aircraft with explosives (or any other mad plan), he would launch it anyway (I suppose, because the fact he is violating flying rules will perhaps not be a big problem for him...)
The hangglider situation is so unlikely there will be a much higher risk of a bird strike...
I still think it is either intention to have a big free airspace for own operations (which would be understandable if communicated) or it is the fear of some people of something they don´t actually know, so they shut it down. If the second fact is true, it is an unnecessary limitation which should also be communicated (by AMA/us, whoever).
We were grounded because of a meeting in a distance of 50km...
The thing I´m wondering about is why they are grounding everything?
Manned GA Aircraft? Ok, I get the point.
A model airplane flying at a field 30 km away should not really be a problem. It likely does not even have the range of flying there. Or a hangglider on a slope this distance away?
So I can think about several reasons why they would ground anything:
-No one shall have privileges.. (Ok unlikely..)
-If someone is in the air he is evil, because all others should be on the ground. (But in reality he is more likely unknowing..)
-They want to have the airspace for themselves, free for radar and UAV operations.
Does anyone know a statement where a reason is given?