Fri, Jun 18, 2010
Offers Defense Of Deepwater Horizon TFR
Recent media reports here and elsewhere have indicated that
some aircraft carrying journalists have been denied permission to
overfly the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, which is under an
indefinite TFR. In a news release Thursday, the FAA says it is
accommodating those media flights, and that a recent AP story
on the issue "contains a number of inaccuracies."
The FAA says in the statement:
"Since May 28th, the FAA has approved every request to fly over
the area - more than 176 requests. While the temporary flight
restriction requires pilots to stay above 3,000 feet, the FAA is
working with news organizations and granting exceptions so that
pilots can fly at lower altitudes throughout the day.
"The reason for these requirements is safety, pure and simple.
So far, there have been a number of reported near misses over the
Gulf due to heavy traffic and pilots flying above the oil spill to
give their passengers a closer look.
"On Sunday, a helicopter carrying a member of the Associated
Press violated the temporary flight restriction around the oil
clean-up efforts in the Gulf of Mexico. The helicopter operator was
not authorized to fly into the restricted area and was flying at
various altitudes well below 3,000 feet. For over 30 minutes, the
pilot was not in communication with the Customs and Border Patrol
aircraft that is providing traffic advisories for all participating
aircraft. Customs and Border Patrol was forced to divert other
traffic in the area, creating a dangerous situation for everyone
involved. When the pilot was finally reached he was told to leave
the area.
"A pilot deviation (an action that results in the violation of a
Federal Aviation Regulation) is being filed against the helicopter
pilot."
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