Although flight restrictions around D.C. and dozens of sensitive areas throughout the country have been a fact of life for four years, this will be the first opportunity for public input on them. “If there’s a silver lining in all of this, it’s that we will be inviting comment,” said FAA spokesman Greg Martin. Until now, TFRs and other airspace restrictions have been unilaterally imposed (usually at the request of the DHS or the Secret Service), sometimes with only a few hours of notice. The proposal for making the Washington airspace restrictions permanent is going through the normal process of public scrutiny. Although it would seem unrealistic for any degree of public opposition to stop the process, there may be the opportunity to influence its imposition and impact. Anyone with specific ideas on how best to make it work better for aviation interests can send their comments electronically. Deadline for submission is Nov. 2
…You Have A Say
Key Takeaways:
- The FAA is opening long-standing flight restrictions around D.C. and other sensitive areas for public comment for the first time.
- A proposal is underway to make the Washington airspace restrictions permanent, a process previously imposed unilaterally by agencies with little notice.
- While public opposition may not stop the plan, there is an opportunity to influence the imposition and impact of these restrictions on aviation interests.
- The deadline for submitting electronic comments on the proposal is November 2.
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