Thursday, November 10, 2011

Flying Restrictions for 4 Days during APEC Event

Because the President is on Oahu for the APEC event, the US Secret Service has directed the FAA to issue three separate NOTAMs detailing temporary flying restrictions (TFRs). Paraglider pilots will NOT be allowed to fly ANYWHERE on Oahu on Saturday, November 12th, or Sunday, November 13th. On Monday, November 14th, we may possibly fly, but ONLY at Dillingham between 9:00 AM HST and 5:00 PM HST, and only after calling the authorities first to request approval of our flight operations. On Tuesday, November 15th, we may not fly until after 9 am.

Details are available on the FAA TFR list. The dates, times and locations are subject to change. I will update this bulletin as I receive updates. Please spread the word, and thanks to everyone for your cooperation. This bulletin is not an official notice, but just an informal notification, outlining my current understanding of the NOTAMs. Every pilot is responsible for reading the official NOTAMs. There is no room for confusion about these restrictions - understanding and heeding NOTAMs and TFRs is a requirement of our USHPA certification as pilots. Consequences for infractions are quite serious, as indicated by this excerpt from the full text of the NOTAMs:

THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION (FAA) CLASSIFIES THE AIRSPACE DEFINED IN THIS NOTAM AS 'NATIONAL DEFENSE AIRSPACE'. PILOTS WHO DO NOT ADHERE TO THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES MAY BE INTERCEPTED, DETAINED AND INTERVIEWED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT/SECURITY PERSONNEL. ANY OF THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL ACTIONS MAY ALSO BE TAKEN AGAINST A PILOT WHO DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OR ANY SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS OR PROCEDURES ANNOUNCED IN THIS NOTAM: A) THE FAA MAY TAKE ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION, INCLUDING IMPOSING CIVIL PENALTIES AND THE SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF AIRMEN CERTIFICATES; OR B) THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT MAY PURSUE CRIMINAL CHARGES, INCLUDING CHARGES UNDER TITLE 49 OF THE UNITED STATES CODE, SECTION 46307; OR C) THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT MAY USE DEADLY FORCE AGAINST THE AIRBORNE AIRCRAFT, IF IT IS DETERMINED THAT THE AIRCRAFT POSES AN IMMINENT SECURITY THREAT.

Please call me at 808-223-0144 if you have any questions.