Another One Bites The Dust

After months of constant pressure from AOPA and pilots all over the nation, the federal government this week lifted the Defense Department's "permanent" temporary flight restrictions over Crane, Indiana.

"It's good news anytime one of these longstanding TFRs is reviewed and rescinded," said AOPA Vice President of Regulatory Policy Melissa Bailey. "But there are still 13 left. At AOPA's urging, Congress has told the FAA to reevaluate them. That's especially important in the Seattle/Puget Sound area, where there are four TFRs in a confined area."

Members of the Washington state congressional delegation have added their voices, writing to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, calling for a review of the four Seattle-area TFRs.

The DoD requested 17 TFRs in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks over what they described as sensitive military areas.

"Without a specific, credible threat to each of the remaining protected facilities, AOPA believes the TFRs have outlived their purpose," said Bailey.

"In places like the Seattle/Puget Sound area, where pilots already contend with complicated Class B airspace plus restricted areas and multiple military operation areas, the "permanent" TFRs are a flight-planning nightmare."

FMI: www.faa.gov