Pilots flying in to the AOPA Fly-In at Livermore, California, on Saturday, June 22, should exercise extreme caution: AOPA has learned that high-speed jets will be practicing in an aerobatic box near our primary arrival and departure corridor between 2 and 3 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time on Saturday.
The high-speed aerobatics are not part of the AOPA Fly-In. In the interest of safety, AOPA is asking pilots flying to Livermore to avoid the area depicted in the fly-in procedure.
“The aerobatic box popped up with short notice, and AOPA is working with local air traffic controllers to keep pilots informed,” said Chris Eads, AOPA senior director of outreach and events.
The jets will be practicing within a 5-nautical-mile-radius aerobatic box located around the private Heritage Airport. The box is centered 22 nm to the northeast of the Livermore Municipal Airport on a 025-degree radial and will be in effect between 2 and 3 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time. The aerobatic box stretches from the surface to 7,000 feet msl.
“Pilots flying in should exercise extreme caution and avoid this area between 2 and 3 p.m.,” Eads said.
A high volume of VFR traffic is expected to transition through that airspace area during those hours on Saturday.
“The potential for a safety issue is not insignificant,” Eads said.
The AOPA Fly-In runs June 21 and 22 and has a full lineup of activities. AOPA looks forward to pilots flying in and doing their due diligence with flight planning and navigating around the aerobatic box to ensure a safe arrival!