NORAD reminds GA pilots to check notams

Several media outlets have reported that fighters have intercepted several GA aircraft that violated temporary flight restrictions around Palm Beach, Florida, while President Trump is in the area.

NORAD says the uptick “suggests some folks might be skipping" the FAA-mandated preflight briefing, including checking notams for active and upcoming temporary flight restrictions, which can be done using the FAA website and other software tools. Many AOPA members receive email alerts for new TFRs within 250 nautical miles . Members wanting to opt in to receiving these alerts can do so by enabling Airspace (TFR) Alerts (via checkbox) in their online account preferences. (Turn on "Airspace (TFR) Alerts" near the bottom of the "Manage Preferences" tab.)

“While many TFRs are posted in advance, they can also come up last minute,” said Dave Roy, vice president of AOPA's Pilot Information Center and Member Services. “Given the uptick of TFR violations in Florida in the last two months, it may be a good idea to reach out to pilots you know who may not stay as up to date.”

Below is the full text of NORAD’s letter to general aviation pilots:

General Aviation Pilots: Check Your NOTAMs

General aviation pilots must diligently check Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) before they fly. Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) in the Palm Beach, FL and Bedminster, NJ areas will continue to be a regular occurrence, and it is every pilot’s responsibility to Check NOTAMs and Fly Informed. The FAA establishes these restrictions for safety and security, and NORAD enforces them when violations occur. Lately, there has been a noticeable uptick in TFR violations, which suggests some folks might be skipping that crucial pre-flight step – checking NOTAMS – leading to NORAD having to respond unnecessarily. These recent airspace incursions could have, and should have, been prevented with proper pre-flight planning. Checking NOTAMs is an FAA requirement - it is not optional.

Please follow the airspace rules and help avoid any violations or the risk of an unexpected interception – remember, the fighters are armed, you do not want to be intercepted. Should the pilot of an aircraft happen to find himself/ herself intercepted by NORAD fighters or helicopters, they should immediately come up on frequency 121.5 or 243.0 and turn around to reverse course until receiving instructions on one of those frequencies.

Here are a few specific reasons why General Aviation Pilots must check their NOTAMs:

• TFRs are Serious Business: The FAA issues TFRs for safety and security, particularly around VIPs like the President. Violating a TFR, even unintentionally, can have serious consequences. Follow on actions may include a visit by law enforcement, a Pilot Deviation Notification known as a “Brasher Notification” issued for risk reduction and safety enhancement, significant fines, or even suspension and/or loss of your certificate.

• NORAD's Costly Response: NORAD is tasked with defending US and North American airspace and responds to TFR violations with armed fighter jets. This response is expensive given most interactions are owning to pilots who failed to read a NOTAM. Having to respond to TFR violations takes away from NORAD’s ability to conduct their primary mission of protecting US/North American airspace. Ultimately, the cost goes to the taxpayer for these missions. Additionally, NORAD has developed a Civilian Air Education & Training (CAE&T) program to educate the General Aviation crowd on the importance of proper mission planning before stepping into the cockpit. NORAD members are present at several of the high-profile airshows (Sun ‘n Fun, EAA Venture at Oshkosh) and other significant Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) events around the country. 

• Pilot Responsibility: The onus is on pilots to be aware of, and avoid, TFRs. Ignorance is not an excuse. Resources like the FAA website (https://tfr.faa.gov/tfr2/list.html) provide up-to-date information. For general aviation pilots, it’s about staying proactive: always check those NOTAMs before heading out, use all tools available to avoid TFRs (i.e. ensure “TFR” is selected on ForeFlight if you have it, review free resources such as https://skyvector.com/ to help find out where TFRs are located, and use other software tools available to you). Remain vigilant. 

• Presidential Travel Increases Risk: The President's frequent and often last-minute travel plans mean TFRs can change rapidly, making it even more critical for pilots to stay informed. Normally these TFRs are from surface to 17,999 feet with a 30 nm radius and will always have armed fighter aircraft, and sometimes helicopters, within close reach to respond to any offending pilot. In the Palm Beach, FL and Bedminster, NJ areas you can expect these TFRs to show up fairly often.

Bottom line: We urge all aviators to stay in-formed, review NOTAMs before every flight, and comply with all airspace restrictions to maintain a safe and secure flying environment. Checking NOTAMs takes just a few minutes and can save everyone time, money, and potential danger. Do not risk a costly and unnecessary encounter with NORAD.