e-Vents

[ Monday ]

 

No Fly Zones...at Disney

Even before 9/11, the FAA had restricted airspace over military and government facilities. The Federal Aviation Administration has had rules in place to protect not only the people and facilities on the ground, but also to protect the pilots and passengers of the aircraft from dangerous situations. Take for example radio and television antennae, mountains, tall buildings, bridges, etc. Even sports facilities during large attendance events such as the Super Bowl, the Olympics, the World Series, et cetera, are restricted to a certain degree.

Usually, the FAA issues 'Notice to Airmen' (NOTAMs) advising of flight rules. Most involve altitude restrictions and Terminal Control Areas (TCAs) that advise pilots of temporary regulations. After the attacks of September 11th, many areas were restricted, and general aviation traffic was grounded for months.

A recent notice from the FAA has placed the Disney theme park on the restricted list. This may not seem like much on the surface, considering that large numbers of people congregate at Disney World in Florida during the summer months. But those large crowds are mostly tourists with money to spend, and that attracts other advertisers attempting to get a few of those dollars. Look up in the sky while at the theme park, and you will see helicopters flying around, and small planes towing advertising banners. These aircraft banners tout everything from dinner specials to hotel discounts to retail store sales in the area. It's no wonder that Disney has complained for years about these aircraft operators, because Disney would prefer their patrons to stay at Disney hotels, eat at Disney restaurants, and shop at Disney stores. Disney greed, it seems, is so pervasive that they do not publish a toll free telephone number for ticket purchases or information...they force potential customers to spend their 'dime' to make the call. It no doubt saves the company millions of dollars in telephone charges annually.

So why did the FAA grant No Fly status to the Disney theme park? It would join a list of facilities such as the White House, the President's ranch, nuclear facilities, military bases and airfields, and certain large buildings and national monuments. But Disney World? Perhaps the FAA will re-think its position after Disney produces the next Michael Moore film.

The NOTAM:
!FDC 3/2122 ZJX FL FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS ORLANDO, FL.

EFFECTIVE 0303182000 UTC (MARCH 18 AT 1500 LOCAL) UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. PURSUANT TO RESTRICTIONS DETAILED IN SECTION 352 OF PUBLIC LAW 108-7, AND 14 CFR SECTION 99.7, SPECIAL SECURITY INSTRUCTIONS. AIRCRAFT FLIGHT OPERATIONS ARE PROHIBITED AT AND BELOW 3,000 FEET AGL, WITHIN A 3 NAUTICAL MILE RADIUS OF THE DISNEY WORLD THEME PARK (282445N/0813420W OR THE ORLANDO /ORL/ VORTAC 243 DEGREE RADIAL AT 15 NAUTICAL MILES).

MM [08:14]