AIM
4/20/23
11
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4
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7
Airspace Access for UAS
d.
Temporary Flight Restrictions:
1.
Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) are non
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permanent airspace restrictions created to protect persons
and property in the air or on the surface from an existing or imminent hazard associated with an incident on the
surface, when the presence of low flying aircraft would magnify, alter, spread, or compound that hazard (14 CFR
Section 91.137(a)(1)). TFRs can exist to protect aircraft from hazards, and also to protect people/objects on the
ground from aircraft hazards. Examples of TFRs include natural disaster areas especially forest fires, floods,
congested flight areas, the area around spacecraft launches and recoveries, certain stadium sporting events, and
the security of national public figures.
2.
UAS operators should be aware that substantial fines and penalties can be levied on UAS remote pilots
or recreational flyers violating a TFR.
e.
Special Restrictions over Critical Infrastructure:
1.
Operating a UAS over our nation’s critical infrastructure such as power grids, nuclear reactors,
transportation centers, political or military sites, etc., can potentially create risk to people on the ground and also
to fixed site facilities and associated infrastructure. To address security concerns, Public Law 114
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190 and
115
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254 mandated a process that would allow applicants to petition the FAA for restrictions from unmanned
aircraft overflying their property.
2.
Special Security Instructions under 14 CFR Section 99.7 of the public laws allow the FAA to prohibit
the operation of aircraft in certain airspace, in the interest of national security. The 14 CFR Section 99.7 interim
solution prohibits UAS over approved fixed site facilities and limits the fixed site facilities to Federal owned
sites UAS operations may be approved under the SGI process.
3.
UAS remote pilots and recreational flyers must carefully consider the need to fly over critical
infrastructure and determine the legality of doing so, infractions may result in significant fines and legal actions.
NOTE
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For a list of critical infrastructure sites, see https://www.cisa.gov/critical
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infrastructure
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sectors.
REFERENCE
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Public Law 114
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190, FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016.
Public Law 115
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254, FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018.
14 CFR Section 99.7, Special Security Instructions.
f.
Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA). SFRAs are airspaces of defined dimensions, above land areas or
territorial waters, within which the flight of aircraft is subject to special rules, established after the September
11, 2001, attacks. Examples include the Washington, DC, Los Angeles, and Hudson River SFRAs. All aircraft
are highly regulated within SFRAs. The inner area of some SFRAs, the Flight Restricted Zone (FRZ) is very
highly restricted and prohibits all but previously vetted aircrew and aircraft from entering. Refer to VFR
Sectional Charts or the FAA’s Restricted Airspace website for information on specific airspace limitations and
instructions for requesting entry.
NOTE
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The FAA’s Restricted Airspace website may be viewed at: https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/restricted
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airspace
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0.
g.
There can be certain local restrictions to airspace. While the FAA is designated by federal law to be the
regulator of the NAS, some state and local authorities may also restrict access to local airspace. UAS pilots
should be aware of these local rules.
h.
Other Restrictions & Provisions:
1.
Flight over or near natural habitat or nature preserves. See paragraph 11
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8
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6, Environmental Best
Practices, for a discussion of UAS flight restrictions over or near wildlife.
2.
No Drone Zones is an FAA concept and outreach to promote safe and responsible use of UAS. The effort
assists landowners (private and public) with designating their land off
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limits for UAS take
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offs and landings.
The idea behind the outreach is to allow landowners who wish to avoid interactions on their property with UAS
to state this preference in advance of UAS take
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offs or landings. No Drone Zones do not apply to airspace.