In early November, the FAA issued a NOTAM expanding the Temporary Flight
Restriction surrounding the established P-40 airspace to 10 nm
and up to 18,000. This is a major expansion from the 5 nm
restriction which has been in place since May 2002. Making
matters worse, it completely surrounds W73 (Fairfield gliderport)
and prevents our club of law abiding pilots from spending our
weekend leisure time flying.
The expanded airspace is activated whenever the President is in residence at Camp David. It has also been reported that future expansion is planned to reach a 30 nm radius! If that occurs, flying must cease at Frederick and a number of other important regional airports, as well as at Fairfield, during the period of the NOTAM.
AOPA and the Soaring Society of America are both addressing this issue and have posted information about it on their websites.
After the TFR was put in place effectively increasing P-40's radius from 3 to 8 nautical miles, M-ASA produced a briefing to the FAA. A set of slides used are included here in PDF format explaining some of the implications of the expansion of the prohibited zone on recreational flying, contests, safety, flying between M-ASA airfields, and other matters. Graphics have been removed for easier download but the content is the same. Those interested in this issue should have a look at these slides. They provide number of talking points about our operation and our willingness to work within the system.
M-ASA members and any others interested in this problem are encouraged to write to their elected officials, asking them to rescind the new regulations which pose significant operational and financial threats to our club. We have prepared a sample letter which you might find useful in writing.
Before writing, please inform yourself by reading the slides, the sample letter, and the AOPA and SSA web pages covering this issue. Please be sure to express yourself in a rational rather than an emotional manner. Remember that most elected representatives are not pilots and may not be entirely sympathetic to sport flying.
If you wish to contact your senators or representative, the Roll Call website can help you find the names, phone numbers, and postal address you can use. It also offers a web form for sending email.
Please stay informed about this issue. Please do not attempt to fly from Fairfield or Frederick, without first checking NOTAMs and/or checking with other M-ASA members.
M-ASA will post updates as new details become available.