Continues To Caution Drone Users Against Flying Over Affected Area

The FAA has continued to handle emergency and relief operations at a number of airports in the Hurricane Harvey area, including at Houston Hobby and George Bush Intercontinental. The FAA is prepared to support the resumption of commercial service flights when airport authorities reopen the airports.

Drone Users: In areas where Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) are in place, you cannot fly a drone without specific FAA authorization. If you do not have this authorization, you should not be flying in the area covered by the TFR. The FAA has issued a number of TFRs for the Houston area and Beaumont over the past few days that outline the coordination process for authorized operations.

• Houston
• Rosenberg
• Crosby
• Ingleside-on-the-Bay
• Beaumont

The FAA warns drone operators that flying an unauthorized drone could interfere with local, state and federal rescue and recovery missions. You could be subject to significant fines if you interfere with emergency response operations. Flying a drone without authorization in or near the disaster area may violate federal, state, or local laws and ordinances, even if a TFR is not in place. Allow first responders to save lives and property without interference.

Commercial passengers: Passengers should be aware that resuming normal airline operations will take time and airlines may not be operating a full flight schedule immediately after the airports reopen. Although airports may be listed as “open,” flooding on local roadways may limit access to airports for passengers, as well as the employees who work for the airlines or at the airport. As a result, every aspect of your trip to the airport, including parking, checking in, getting through security and boarding may take longer than usual. As always, check with airlines about the status of your flight before you leave for the airport.

General Aviation pilots: The FAA has issued a number of TFRs for the Houston area and Beaumont over the past few days. Pilots should always check Notices for Airmen before a flight.

• Houston
• Rosenberg
• Crosby
• Ingleside-on-the-Bay
• Beaumont

Continue monitoring TFR.FAA.gov and @FAANews on Twitter for the latest information. The FAA is coordinating media flights in the area covered by the TFR, under the conditions outlined in the notices. Regardless of where you are flying, always be aware of the weather conditions along your entire planned route. If you are planning to travel to or from Texas or Louisiana, contact your destination airport before you take off to obtain the most current information about local weather and airfield conditions.

(Source: FAA news release)

FMI: www.faa.gov