Pilots take note: Presidential TFRs have changed

The most notable difference affecting general aviation pilots is a requirement that all flights within the 30-nautical-mile outer ring operate on VFR or IFR flight plans while maintaining contact with air traffic control. Controllers will assign pilots a transponder code that pilots will have to squawk from startup to shutdown. In the past pilots had to stay in touch with ATC when transiting TFRs but did not have to file flight plans.

These VIP TFRs include a 10-nm inner core and 30-nm outer ring, both of which extend from the surface to FL180 when the president visits the Bedminster or Mar-a-Lago resorts. The FAA posted a TFR at Palm Beach beginning January 31 at 6:30 p.m. Eastern time and ending February 2 at 6 p.m. Eastern time—the first of many such TFRs we are likely to see over President Trump’s term.

To avoid inadvertent TFR violations, pilots should routinely check the FAA’s TFR list before flight. TFRs may also be found using flight planning apps, or by contacting Flight Service for a preflight briefing. TFRs may be enacted on short notice after departure, another reason for VFR pilots to request flight following from ATC.

AOPA members are automatically opted in to receive AOPA’s presidential TFR email alerts, which are sent to pilots who live 250 nautical miles or less from the center of an upcoming presidential TFR and are followed up with time and location updates should changes occur. The alerts are provided courtesy of AOPA and should not be relied upon solely but used to supplement the flight planning process.