NOTAM Issued December 14, 2015 Said Private Aircraft Had To Obtain Diplomatic Clearance

For about a month, the FAA had banned flight by GA airplanes of Canadian registry from flying in U.S. airspace for security reasons, according to reports.

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reports that according to a NOTAM posted by the FAA on December 14, all private pilots of airplanes of foreign registry were required to obtain a diplomatic clearance from the Secretary of State before entering U.S. airspace even when traveling between cities in Canada. The ban cost pilots thousands of dollars in fuel and lost time, according to the report. Flight schools in border cities were reportedly forced to cancel training flights as well.

According to the NOTAM, "The FAA administrator hereby orders that all U.S. territorial airspace is national defence airspace. Pilots of such aircraft that do not adhere to procedures in the special security requirements contained in the NOTAM may be intercepted, detained and interviewed by law enforcement, U.S. Secret Service, or other security personnel.

"Any person who knowingly or willfully violates the special security requirements ... may be subject to penalties," the NOTAM read.

Both the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association and the Canadian Business Aviation Association contacted Transport Canada, which said it was not aware of the ban.

The ban persisted until the ICAO intervened with the FAA. ICAO secretary general Craig Spence said that the FAA was "trying to close a perceived loophole to ensure they knew everyone that was flying over the United States."

An FAA spokesperson said that the NOTAM was originally written to comply with ICAO guidance.

The ban was lifted January 16th.

FMI: www.faa.gov