Open-Ended TFR For VP's Maryland Home

Ask pilots in the Washington, DC area what they think of the latest flight restriction over a new house for Vice President Dick Cheney... and be prepared to duck. Already stressed out over the Washington ADIZ and the constantly changing restricted space over Camp David, GA pilots flying near the Chesapeake Bay now have something else to worry about.

According to the Washington Post, Cheney's new home is not in an undisclosed location. It's in St. Michael's, MD -- about 30 miles east of the district. The TFR over the veep's new pad went into effect November 22.

While the two-nautical-mile-wide flight restriction is officially listed as "temporary," FAA spokeswoman Laura Brown acknowledged it's an open-ended TFR -- meaning there's no termination date.

In contrast, according to AOPA spokesman Chris Dancy, the TFR at Mr. Cheney's other home in Wyoming is in effect only when he's there. Dancy questioned the need to have permanent restrictions over Cheney's Maryland home -- which is under far more congested airspace than Wyoming's.

Cheney does, however, now get bragging rights with President Bush -- flight restrictions over the president's ranch in Crawford, TX, stay in place even when he isn't there, as well.

NOTAM: 5/0860
Issued: 11/22/2005 17:40
Effective: 11/23/2005 15:00 - Undetermined
State: MD
Facility: ZDC - WASHINGTON (ARTCC),DC.
Type: VIP
Description: ST. MICHAELS, MARYLAND, NOVEMBER 23, 2005 LOCAL.
 
FDC 5/0860 ZDC MD.. FLIGHT RESTRICTION ST. MICHAELS, MARYLAND, NOVEMBER 23, 2005 LOCAL. PURSUANT TO TITLE 14, SECTION 91.141 OF THE CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS, AIRCRAFT FLIGHT OPERATIONS ARE PROHIBITED WITHIN A 1 NMR OF 384547N/0761418W OR THE OTT092024.0 UP TO BUT NOT INCLUDING 1500 FT AGL EFFECTIVE 0511231500 UTC (1000 LOCAL 11/23/05) UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

FMI: www.tfr.faa.gov, Depicted TFR data may not be a complete listing. Pilots should not use the information on this website for flight planning purposes. For the latest information, call your local Flight Service Station at 1-800-WX-BRIEF.