AOPA's Plain-language Guidance On NOTAM's As of 9/19/2001

Updated: 9/19/2001 8:58:57 PM — Latest "special notice" notam. Pilots are reminded they must receive updated NOTAM information before flight.

Authorized and unauthorized general aviation operations
(updated 9/20/01 1:30 p.m.)

After the attacks of 11 September the National Airspace System was shut down. Legitimate security concerns remain as the system is being incrementally restored. In this extraordinary time pilots must be:

  • Informed
    • This means checking for the latest information before each flight
  • Precise
    • Fly exactly where you are planned to fly or:
    • Where you have been instructed to fly by ATC
  • Compliant
    • Follow ATC instructions precisely
      • Question any instruction that:
        • You don't understand
        • You feel will place you in prohibited or restricted airspace.

CAUTION: General Aviation aircraft are now excluded from many areas where they were welcome before. GA pilots must know where these areas are and plan to avoid them. Now is not the time to see how close you can come and still be legal. Make sure you allow for adequate clearance from all airspace from which you're excluded. Failure to do so can have serious consequences not just for you but for all GA pilots.

General Aviation Operations in the National Airspace System (NAS)
Current as of 1400 UTC 20 September 2001

IFR Operations

  • Authorized within the NAS provided
    • Flights must be from one airport to another
  • Not authorized
    • Flight within Temporary Restricted Areas (TFRs)

Caution: There are many TFRs. Some existing TFRs are changing and new ones are created daily. Pilots MUST check TFR status before each flight.

For general information on TFRs see our TFR FAQs page.

VFR Operations

  • Authorized within Alaska without restriction
  • Authorized within the remaining NAS with exceptions
  • Not Authorized
    • Within the extreme lateral boundaries of Class B Airspace from the surface to infinity [see graphic]
      • This means no VFR under, over, or through Class B
    • Within Temporary Restricted Areas

Caution: There are many TFRs. Some existing TFRs are changing and new ones are created daily. Pilots MUST check TFR status before each flight.

For general information on TFRs see our TFR FAQs page.

  • Types of VFR Operations Not Authorized
    • Civil Aircraft VFR Flight Training
    • Banner Towing
    • CFR 91 Sight Seeing Operations Conducted for Compensation or Hire (Pursuant to the exception in 119.1(e)(2))
    • Traffic Watch Operations
    • Airship/Blimp Operations
    • News Reporting Operations
Notams are in force detailing Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs). Click for current information.