The FAA is being urged, by EAA, to exempt operations at Killeen Municipal Airport from TFRs during periods when President George W. Bush is at his ranch in nearby Crawford, Texas. The 30-mile flight restriction usually placed on the region during President Bush's stays at the ranch borders just 700 feet from the north end of Killeen's lone runway.  When the restrictions are in effect, VFR pattern work, flight training and practice instrument training are prohibited. Pilots also must conduct takeoffs and landings to the south, which create potential air traffic and wind condition safety hazards.

"Granting Killeen Municipal Airport an exemption in this case is a common-sense matter," said Earl Lawrence, EAA Vice President of Government and Industry Relations.  "The exemption would not endanger the primary security purpose of the flight restrictions.  It would also maintain safe operations at the airport and allow normal activity at an airport that is completely outside the 30-mile restricted area."

In addition, the Killeen airport is adjacent to airspace controlled by two U.S. Army airfields, which provides additional security through air traffic oversight of its restricted military airspace.  Killeen Municipal Airport has more than 41,000 general-aviation operations each year, nearly half which occur through two local flight schools.  The restrictions shut down operations at those schools, typically during the peak times of holidays and weekends, causing economic hardships for those businesses.

FMI: www.faa.gov