FAA Shuts Down Airspace Over Ferguson at Request of Police
Now posted at the FAA website: 4/2599 NOTAM Details.
NOTAM Number: FDC 4/2599
Issue Date: August 12, 2014 at 1318 UTC
Location: FERGUSON, Missouri near ST LOUIS VORTAC (STL)
Beginning Date and Time: August 12, 2014 at 1315 UTC
Ending Date and Time: August 18, 2014 at 2000 UTC
Reason for NOTAM: TO PROVIDE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES
Type: HazardsAirspace Definition:
Center: On the ST LOUIS VORTAC (STL) 129 degree radial at 11 nautical miles. (Latitude: 38º44’28”N, Longitude: 90º18’12”W)
Radius: 3 nautical miles
Altitude: From the surface up to and including 3000 feet MSL[…]
FDC 4/2599 ZKC MO..AIRSPACE FERGUSON, MO..TEMPORARY FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS WITHIN AN AREA DEFINED AS 3 NM RADIUS OF 384428N0901812W (ST LOUIS VORTAC STL129011.0) SFC-3000FT TO PROVIDE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES. PURSUANT TO 14 CFR SECTION 91.137(A)(2) TEMPORARY FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS ARE IN EFFECT. ONLY RELIEF AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS UNDER DIRECTION OF ST. LOUIS COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT ARE AUTHORIZED IN THE AIRSPACE. AIRCRAFT LANDING AND DEPARTING ST. LOUIS LAMBERT AIRPORT ARE EXEMPT FROM THIS TFR. ST. LOUIS COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT, TELEPHONE 314-889-2360, IS IN CHARGE OF THE OPERATION.
Last night, police ordered media to leave the area. Is this really out of concern for safety, or an attempt to keep media from watching what’s going on in Ferguson for the next 6 days? It’s an unusual step, to say the least; normally police helicopters and media helicopters are able to share airspace in areas like this without fear of accidents.