The prohibited area (P-49) surrounding former President George W. Bush’s ranch in Crawford, Texas, will shrink, effective June 3. On that day, the three nautical mile radius will reduce to two nautical miles and the ceiling will drop from 5,000 feet to 2,000. “We’re doing this per a request from the Secret Service,” FAA spokesman Lynn Lunsford told the Associated Press. The previously prohibited airspace will be open to public use. Those who violate the remaining no-fly zone are likely to find themselves escorted to an otherwise unplanned landing and, perhaps, penalized.
The Secret Service is responsible for directing the changes. The FAA is responsible for implementing them. The Secret Service’s determination follows a six-month security review of P-49, according to the FAA. The FAA has elected to take action without soliciting public comment because it restores airspace to public use and public procedures “would only delay the return of the airspace to public use.” Those interested in the particulars can find them here.
