Watch For TFRs Next Week
For the STS-117 launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis, NASA managers
are urging all aircraft pilots and boaters to fully comply with the
airspace, bridges and waterway restrictions imposed around Kennedy
Space Center prior to and during shuttle launches and landings.
"As always, we are coordinating with officials from the US Air
Force Eastern Range, Federal Aviation Administration and the US
Coast Guard to help provide a safe launch environment for the
shuttle crew and for interested spectators," said KSC Launch
Director Mike Leinbach. "Violating these restrictions is not only
unsafe for the astronauts and support crews, it's unsafe for the
violator."
The first launch opportunity is Friday, June 8, with liftoff
targeted for 7:38 p.m. EDT. This launch time is approximately in
the middle of a 10-minute launch window. At NASA's request, Air
Force and Coast Guard surveillance aircraft will patrol KSC's
airspace boundaries on launch day. Violators will be intercepted by
patrol forces, thoroughly investigated and subject to FAA
enforcement action. A number of restrictions remain in effect
around KSC during the hours immediately following the launch of a
space shuttle.
The following are restrictions that apply to pilots using the
airspace around KSC.
For the launch of Atlantis on mission STS-117, all restricted
areas surrounding KSC will be active and the area covered by flight
restrictions has once again been expanded for this launch.
Due to international terrorist activities, heightened security
is essential to protect the space shuttle as a national asset. An
inadvertent unauthorized incursion into the area of the Cape
Canaveral Temporary Flight Restriction, or TFR, could cause a scrub
in the launch of Atlantis, the activation of airspace defenses and
an FAA enforcement action. Local pilots are asked to help NASA by
respecting these temporary but necessary restrictions so the launch
can occur on time and without incident.
The
Eastern Range restricted airspace for KSC and Cape Canaveral Air
Force Station is in effect on a continuous basis and is off limits
to general aviation pilots. Access is limited to official aircraft
only. The restricted airspace normally covers the area bounded by
the Indian River to the west, Port Canaveral to the south, the city
of Oak Hill to the north, and three miles over the Atlantic Ocean
to the east. Pilots are encouraged to consult the current FAA
aeronautical chart for Orlando Class B airspace.
On launch day, these restricted areas will be expanded by the
TFR and will be activated seven hours before the launch window
opens. It will continue in effect until 30 minutes after launch,
after which the standard restricted areas for KSC and Cape
Canaveral Air Force Station will be in effect. On Friday, June 8,
the TFR will be activated at 12:38 p.m. EDT. The launch is targeted
to occur at 7:38 p.m. EDT. If the launch is scrubbed, pilots should
check NOTAMs for the hours the TFR will be in effect for the next
launch attempt.
General aviation and VFR operations are prohibited within a
30-nautical-mile radius of Launch Pad 39-B from the surface to (but
not including) 18,000 feet (located on the Melbourne VOR/DME
004-degree radial at 30.6 nautical miles). Among the public-use
general aviation airports affected within this area are Space Coast
Regional Airport in Titusville, Arthur Dunn Airpark in Titusville,
Merritt Island Airport on Merritt Island and Massey Ranch in
Edgewater.
Within an airspace radius between 30 and 40 nautical miles of
Pad 39-A, a discrete transponder code must be obtained and
clearance granted from air traffic control before entering this
airspace.
Continuous radio communications must be maintained.
Among the public-use airports affected within the 30-to
40-nautical-mile radius in which flight is permitted but under
positive air traffic control are Orlando International Airport,
Orlando Executive Airport, Orlando-Sanford International Airport,
the New Smyrna Beach Municipal Airport, Melbourne International
Airport and Valkaria airport.
Before flight, pilots should contact the St. Petersburg FAA
Flight Service Station at 1-800/WxBrief (1-800/992-7433) for
details of the restrictions contained in the NOTAMS. In flight,
outside Orlando Class B airspace, pilots should contact Orlando
Approach control on 134.95. In the Melbourne area, contact Orlando
Approach control on 132.65. In southern Volusia County, contact
Orlando Approach control on 125.35. Flight Service can also be
reached locally by radio on the Titusville RCO at 123.6 or the
Melbourne RCO on 122.6. Advisories will also be available from the
control tower at Space Coast Regional Airport in Titusville at
118.9 megahertz.
Between L-7 hours and L-3 hours, (12:33 to 4:33 p.m.) pilots
will be permitted to depart and return to the airports managed by
the Titusville-Cocoa Airport Authority. These include Space Coast
Regional Airport, Arthur Dunn Air Park and Merritt Island
Airport.
After L-3 hours, no aircraft departures or landings at these
airports will be permitted. It is important that pilots read the
NOTAM for further details before planning a departure at these
three local airports.
At Space Coast Regional Airport, pilots should contact ground
control prior to departure at 121.850 Mhz for air traffic control
instructions. At Arthur Dunn Air Park and Merritt Island Airport,
pilots should telephone Orlando Approach Control at
407-825-3398.
Departure instructions, radio frequency to be used and discrete
transponder code will be provided.
After departure, pilots must maintain continuous radio
communications, squawking the assigned transponder code at all
times while within the TFR airspace. Remain vigilant for the
possibility of fighter aircraft within the TFR. In the event of
radio failure, pilots should squawk 7600 and depart the TFR on a
heading away from the NASA restricted areas.