The President Is Flying So You're Not

The FAA will establish two temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) in Arizona when President Bush travels to the state on Monday, August 11.

"While the 10-mile-radius TFR for Bush's arrival and departure from Tucson International Airport is encouraging, because it is smaller in size than previous arrival TFRs, the 30-mile-radius TFR has a huge impact on general aviation operations at six airports in the region. AOPA is continuing to press for a reduction in the size of these presidential movement airspace restrictions," said AOPA President Phil Boyer.

The first TFR (centered on the TUS Vortac's 9-degree radial at 4.6 miles) has a 10-nautical-mile radius and prohibits general aviation flight within it up to 18,000 feet. The TFR has two active periods, 8:45 a.m. to 9:50 a.m. local, and again from 11:25 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. local on Monday. Tucson International (TUS) is impacted.

The second TFR (centered on the TUS Vortac's 5-degree radial at 22.1 miles) has a 30-nm radius and is active from 9:20 a.m. local to 12:05 p.m. local on Monday. It prohibits GA operations within 10 nm from the center up to 18,000 feet. Aircraft operating between 10 and 30 nm must be on a VFR or IFR flight plan, squawking a discrete transponder code assigned by air traffic control, and remain in two-way communication with ATC. Aircraft operations in the outer portion of the TFR are permitted only for ingress or egress; however, the NOTAM says that ATC may authorize transit operations.

The second TFR impacts operations at Tucson International (TUS), San Manuel (E77), Cascabel Air Park (05A), Marana Northwest Regional (AVQ), Ryan Field (RYN), and Pinal Airpark (MZJ).

AOPA urges any pilot affected by presidential TFRs to write to President Bush and let him know how his security arrangements have impacted your activities. The White House address is:

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20500

In addition, AOPA is continuing to collect pilot reports of operational difficulties involving presidential TFRs. To submit a report, simply fill out the form on AOPA Online.

FMI: NOTAM (full text)