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Coming soon: Super Bowl flight restrictions

Thinking about a joy-flight around LA on February 13? Think again.

With Super Bowl 56 right around the corner, make sure to familiarize yourself with flight restrictions and no-drone zones around the Los Angeles area.

The Los Angeles area will have flight restrictions in place on February 13 as a result of the Super Bowl. Photo by Niki Britton.

If you’re local to the area or plan to fly through the City of Angels on February 13, the “wild blue yonder” will not be business as usual, thanks to the big game. 

The game, which will take place at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, will begin at approximately 6:30 p.m. Eastern time. General aviation and drone pilots should expect special traffic procedures, operational requirements, and temporary flight restrictions around the area before, during, and after the Super Bowl. 

“In addition to the national entertainment that the Super Bowl brings each year, it also provides one of the busiest air traffic events in the national airspace system. We encourage any pilots planning to operate in the area during the game to do thorough preflight planning and remain vigilant throughout the course of the event,” said Jim McClay, AOPA director of airspace, air traffic, and security.

“Pilots are encouraged to check NOTAMs frequently to confirm they have the most current information. TFR information is published by FDC NOTAM, normally 3 to 5 days prior to the event. TFR NOTAMs and graphics are available at the FAA TFR website,” the FAA stated in its Super Bowl safety plan.

In addition to flight restrictions, the FAA is also discouraging training flights and solo student cross-country flights within 60 nautical miles of the Los Angeles International Airport. “Practice approaches, touch-and-go landings, and other training operations may be limited or suspended,” the FAA said. 

Special air traffic procedures will also be in effect for several airports in and around the LA area. Those airports include: 

GA pilots are encouraged to watch the entire playlist of the FAA’s From the Flight Deck and Runway Safety videos for Super Bowl 56 for airport-specific information, including runway approaches, taxiway footage, visual graphics, and diagrams to become acquainted with the airport before arrival.

Cayla McLeod
Cayla McLeod Hunt
Contributor
Cayla McLeod Hunt (previously an AOPA social media marketer) is a private pilot with a love for tailwheel and backcountry aircraft. She enjoys flying with friends and introducing others to general aviation.
Topics: Notams, Temporary Flight Restriction, Advocacy

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