Denver airspace will be restricted during DNC
Straying into area may result in use of force, pilots told
By Kevin Vaughan, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published August 12, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.
The federal government is closing airspace over Denver during the Democratic National Convention later this month - and warning pilots that if they stray into the restricted area it "may result in the use of force."
The details - spelled out in a "notice to airmen," or NOTAM, issued by the Federal Aviation Administration - also restricts everything from hang-gliders to model airplanes during the convention, which opens Aug. 25 at the Pepsi Center and runs for four days.
The restrictions are necessary for security, said FAA spokesman Mike Fergus.
"How many pounds of TNT can a Cessna carry? How many pounds of nitroglycerine can a model plane carry?" Fergus asked. "We don't know, but the point is the risk is there."
Similar flight rules will apply in Minneapolis-St. Paul, where the Republican National Convention is scheduled Sept. 1-4.
In the restricted area, no pilots will be allowed to fly who have not filed a flight plan and been assigned a distinctive transponder code by air traffic controllers. That means that pilots who might want to fly over downtown to sightsee or take photos probably won't be allowed to do so.
The rules are complicated and change during different times of the day during the convention.
For example, each day at 9 a.m. flights within a two-mile radius of the Pepsi Center will be severely restricted. Among those allowed in the restricted air space are law enforcement and military aircraft and emergency responders, such as air ambulances.
Later each day, restrictions also will be imposed to keep many aircraft farther from the convention site. For example, some flights will be blocked within 10 miles of the Pepsi Center, some within 30 miles. Those rules take effect at 2 p.m. on Aug. 25, 26 and 27, the first three days of the convention, and at 4 p.m. on Aug. 28, the day the convention moves across Interstate 25 to Invesco Field at Mile High.
The restrictions are not expected to affect commercial aircraft. However, they will require some pilots to take indirect routes.
For example, at the Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport in Jefferson County, some pilots will have to change their takeoff and landing routes.
The biggest impact will be on hobby pilots accustomed to jumping into a small plane and flying around the city.
Among the things not allowed in the area are crop dusters, hot air balloons and model rockets.
Failure to follow the rules could have dire consequences.
According to the FAA's flight advisory, "failure to comply with any of the published requirements may result in the use of force."
For more information
about airspace restrictions during the Democratic National Convention, visit the Federal Aviation Administration's Web site at www.faa.gov/news/updates/?newsId=56727
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August 12, 2008
7:44 a.m.
Suggest removal
LingLingfor_prez writes:
Airspace restrictions 30 miles away? I think that may be a bit over the top. Pilots will probably want to fly away from the area anyway.
August 12, 2008
8:43 a.m.
Suggest removal
DemsAreDumb writes:
We cant have some airplane noise drowning out Obama's speech. The Great One needs his quiet and people to be able to hear is drivel.
August 12, 2008
10:22 a.m.
Suggest removal
adam1mc writes:
What a load of crap. Under whose authority can the FAA (of all people) dictate that I can't fly my remote control airplane at a city park on the day of the convention. If I'm not on an airport or on other Federal owned land, I see no reason for a normal citizen to recognize their authority.
The RRFF will fly the day of the DNC!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ywurI...