Area Around Kennedy Space Center Restricted During Launch

A TFR goes into effect around the Kennedy Space Center Monday night in anticipation of an early morning launch Tuesday. Discovery is set to lift off at 0136 EDT Tuesday morning.

The TFR centers on the Melbourne VOR/DME (MLB) 004 degree radial at 30.6 nautical miles. and extends out 40 nautical miles from the surface up to but not including FL180. An inner ring with the same center point extends out 30 nm. Both expire at the end of Discovery's launch window at 0256 EDT.

All aircraft operations within a 30 NMR area listed above are prohibited, except for military aircraft and aircraft associated with Cape Canaveral Operations, Rescue/Recovery, Medical/Lifeguard, Emergency Evacuation, Law Enforcement, Department of State and Fire Fighting Operations which are permitted only with prior approval from the appropriate ATC facility. Also, IFR regularly scheduled commercial passenger and all-cargo carriers operating under one of the following TSA-Approved Standard Security Programs/Procedures: Aircraft Operator Standard Security Program (AOSSP), Full All-Cargo Standard Security Program (FACSSP), Model Security Program (MSP), Twelve Five Standard Security Program (TFSSP) All Cargo, Or All-Cargo International Security Procedure (ACISP) and are arriving into and/or departing from 14 CFR PART 139 Airports are authorized transit with ATC approval.

In the 30 NMR and 40 NMR ring, all aircraft entering or exiting the 40 NM radius TFR must be on an active IFR or VFR flight plan with a discrete code assigned by an Air Traffic Control (ATC) facility. Aircraft must be squawking the discrete code prior to departure and all times while in the TFR. All aircraft entering or exiting the 40 NM radius TFR must remain in two-way radio communications with ATC. All aircraft operating within the 30 to 40 NM radius TFR and operating at altitudes of up to but not including 18000 FT MSL are limited to aircraft arriving or departing local airfields. ATC may authorize transit operations. Aircraft may not loiter. All VFR aircraft operations within the 30 to 40 NM radius TFR are restricted to an indicated airspeed of 180 knots or less, if capable. If unable the pilot must contact the appropriate ATC facility and advise them of the aircraft's operational limitations.

Not authorized within this TFR are flight training, practice instrument approaches, aerobatic flight, glider operations, parachute operations, ultralight, hang gliding, balloon operations, agriculture/crop dusting, animal population control flight operations, banner towing operations, model aircraft operations, model rocketry, and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).

In the event that Space Shuttle launch is postponed, pilots should check NOTAMs for next day launch and applicable flight restrictions.

FMI: www.faa.gov, www.nasa.gov