For 20 Years, That Provision Has Vexed Operators Throughout The Low-Altitude General Aviation Sphere

The recent reauthorization of the FAA brings a much-needed change to a long-running problem regarding air show restrictions.

In 2004, the omnibus spending bill of 2004 included a change that restricts flights by any non-approved aircraft within 3 miles of an NCAA, NFL, MLB, or NASCAR event. Initially, it was sold to the public as an anti-terror provision, but those in the know believe it was aimed at restricting banner tow operations more than an actual attack. For 20 years, that provision has vexed operators throughout the low-altitude General Aviation sphere.

The International Council of Air Shows touched base with Sam Graves while the FAA reauthorization was being drafted, aiming to fix the vexing TFR provision. As chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives, Graves was able to patch that irritation up as the Act went to the House. New new language of the law requires the FAA to convene a meeting between the representatives of air shows and organizations that hold events in large stadiums ahead of time, figuring out scheduling conflicts related to TFRs issued for such sporting events.

The law also specifically allows for the safe operation of air show aircraft during a sporting event, so long as the aircraft do not fly over the stadium itself or adjacent parking facilities.

“Chairman Graves has been working for many years to correct this longstanding and unnecessary problem. And he has often done so in the face of strong opposition by those eager to maintain the status quo in this area,” said ICAS President John Cudahy. “Our entire industry – even those not directly impacted by this problem – owe him a debt of gratitude for representing the interests of our air show community and for his persistence in addressing an issue that had seemed immune to previous efforts to find a workable solution.”

FMI: www.airshows.aero