AIM
10/5/23
but are not limited to: toxic gas leaks or spills, flammable agents, or fumes which if fanned by rotor or propeller
wash could endanger persons or property on the surface, or if entered by an aircraft could endanger persons or
property in the air; imminent volcano eruptions which could endanger airborne aircraft and occupants; nuclear
accident or incident; and hijackings. Situations which warrant the restrictions associated with 14 CFR
Section 91.137(a)(2) include: forest fires which are being fought by releasing fire retardants from aircraft; and
aircraft relief activities following a disaster (earthquake, tidal wave, flood, etc.). 14 CFR Section 91.137(a)(3)
restrictions are established for events and incidents that would attract an unsafe congestion of sightseeing aircraft.
f.
The amount of airspace needed to protect persons and property or provide a safe environment for
rescue/relief aircraft operations is normally limited to within 2,000 feet above the surface and within a
3
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nautical
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mile radius. Incidents occurring within Class B, Class C, or Class D airspace will normally be
handled through existing procedures and should not require the issuance of a temporary flight restrictions
NOTAM. Temporary flight restrictions affecting airspace outside of the U.S. and its territories and possessions
are issued with verbiage excluding that airspace outside of the 12
−
mile coastal limits.
g.
The FSS nearest the incident site is normally the “coordination facility.” When FAA communications
assistance is required, the designated FSS will function as the primary communications facility for coordination
between emergency control authorities and affected aircraft. The ARTCC may act as liaison for the emergency
control authorities if adequate communications cannot be established between the designated FSS and the relief
organization. For example, the coordination facility may relay authorizations from the on-scene emergency
response official in cases where news media aircraft operations are approved at the altitudes used by relief
aircraft.
h.
ATC may authorize operations in a temporary flight restrictions area under its own authority only when
flight restrictions are established under 14 CFR Section 91.137(a)(2) and (a)(3). The appropriate ARTCC/airport
traffic control tower manager will, however, ensure that such authorized flights do not hamper activities or
interfere with the event for which restrictions were implemented. However, ATC will not authorize local IFR
flights into the temporary flight restrictions area.
i.
To preclude misunderstanding, the implementing NOTAM will contain specific and formatted information.
The facility establishing a temporary flight restrictions area will format a NOTAM beginning with the phrase
“FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS” followed by: the location of the temporary flight restrictions area; the effective
period; the area defined in statute miles; the altitudes affected; the FAA coordination facility and commercial
telephone number; the reason for the temporary flight restrictions; the agency directing any relief activities and
its commercial telephone number; and other information considered appropriate by the issuing authority.
EXAMPLE
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1.
14 CFR Section 91.137(a)(1):
The following NOTAM prohibits all aircraft operations except those specified in the NOTAM.
Flight restrictions Matthews, Virginia, effective immediately until 9610211200. Pursuant to 14 CFR Section 91.137(a)(1)
temporary flight restrictions are in effect. Rescue operations in progress. Only relief aircraft operations under the direction
of the Department of Defense are authorized in the airspace at and below 5,000 feet MSL within a 2
−
nautical
−
mile radius
of Laser AFB, Matthews, Virginia. Commander, Laser AFB, in charge (897) 946
−
5543 (122.4). Steenson FSS
(792) 555
−
6141 (123.1) is the FAA coordination facility.
2.
14 CFR Section 91.137(a)(2):
The following NOTAM permits flight operations in accordance with 14 CFR Section 91.137(a)(2). The on-site emergency
response official to authorize media aircraft operations below the altitudes used by the relief aircraft. Flight restrictions 25
miles east of Bransome, Idaho, effective immediately until 9601202359 UTC. Pursuant to 14 CFR Section 91.137(a)(2)
temporary flight restrictions are in effect within a 4
−
nautical
−
mile radius of the intersection of county roads 564 and 315
at and below 3,500 feet MSL to provide a safe environment for fire fighting aircraft operations. Davis County sheriff’s
department (792) 555
−
8122 (122.9) is in charge of on-scene emergency response activities. Glivings FSS (792) 555
−
1618
(122.2) is the FAA coordination facility.
3.
14 CFR Section 91.137(a)(3):
The following NOTAM prohibits sightseeing aircraft operations.
Flight restrictions Brown, Tennessee, due to olympic activity. Effective 9606181100 UTC until 9607190200 UTC
.
Pursuant
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5
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4
Other Airspace Areas