This Is REALLY Getting Ridiculous

Despite the fact that it took some hours to appear on the FAA TFR web site (showing up some time after 2000 EST), we understand (via our friends at AOPA) that the FAA has issued a very last-minute temporary flight restriction for New Year's Eve night in Seattle. The NOTAM was published after 6 p.m. EST, less than six hours before the TFR was to go into effect.

In the past, AOPA has (justifiably) argued that the FAA must give pilots adequate notice of flight restrictions — not doing so sets pilots up for unintentional violations.

The 1-nm-radius restricted area is centered on the Space Needle and extends up to 3,000 feet. It will be in effect from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. local.

NOTAM: 3/2336
Issued: 12/31/2003 23:38
Effective: 01/01/2004 05:00 - 01/01/2004 10:00
State: WA
Facility: ZSE - SEATTLE (ARTCC),AUBURN,WA.
Type: SECURITY
Description: SEATTLE SPACE NEEDLE, SEATTLE, WA.

FDC 3/2336 ZSE WA.. FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS SEATTLE SPACE NEEDLE, SEATTLE, WA. EFFECTIVE 0401010500 UTC UNTIL 0401011000 UTC. PURSUANT TO 14 CFR SECTION 99.7, TEMPORARY FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS, UNLESS AUTHORIZED BY ATC, ALL AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS ARE PROHIBITED WITHIN A 1 NAUTICAL MILE RADIUS OF A POINT CENTERED AT 473656N/1222142W, THE SEATTLE /SEA/ VORTAC 330 DEGREE RADIAL AT 11 NAUTICAL MILES AT AND BELOW 3000 FEET MSL. JOHN WARNER IS THE FAA POINT OF CONTACT AND MAY BE REACHED AT THE NORTHWEST MOUNTAIN REGIONAL OPERATIONS CENTER PHONE 425-227-2000.

FMI: www.tfr.faa.gov