Flight Restrictions To Be In Place August 31 To September 2

The FAA says it will be issuing multiple Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR) in support of a VIP visit to Anchorage, Seward, Dillingham and Kotzebue, on August 31st through September 2nd, 2015. These restrictions are designed to provide a safe and secure environment for the VIP visit while enabling fair and equitable access by other airspace users to the greatest extent possible, the agency says.

While the exact areas of the TFRs have not yet been published, the FAA posted a NOTAM outlining the types of flights that will be prohibited in the restricted areas. Further NOTAMS with specifics will be posted at a later date.

Television station KTVA reports that the TFR has pilots at many facilities, including the seaplane base at Lake Hood, very concerned. Lake Hood, which is adjacent to Ted Stevens International Airport in Anchorage, is considered the world's busiest seaplane base. Operators say that they can work around a TRF of a few hours, but closing the airspace for three days will be very detrimental to their businesses.

Duck hunting and moose hunting seasons both open during the time of the President's visit to Alaska, and Steve Williams, who owns a flight training business operating out of Lake Hood, says that many hunters may have to alter their plans because they will not be able to fly to their destinations.

The TFRs will generally encompass the areas around Anchorage, Seward, Dillingham, and Kotzebue, but no other details have yet been released.

(Sectional chart does not depict TFR)

FMI: www.faa.gov/news/updates/media/VIP_Alaska_Advisory.pdf