Posted on 09/27/2002 6:12:09 AM PDT by McLynnan
Pilots of private aircraft face increased restrictions while flying in portions of McLennan County during President Bush's weekend visit to his ranch near Crawford.
Restrictions for aircraft have been expanded from 10 to 30 nautical miles around the Bush ranch, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The limitations will affect activity at 14 public and 22 private airports in Central Texas ranging from Lake Whitney State Park to Temple's Draughon-Miller Airport.
Included in the area are the Waco Regional Airport and McGregor Executive Airport.
A standing prohibition exists of aircraft flying within a 10-nautical mile radius of the president's home. The new restrictions that became effective upon Bush's arrival Thursday evening and continue through 9:10 a.m. Monday require pilots flying within 10 to 30 nautical miles of the Bush ranch to file flight plans and keep in contact with air traffic control.
Additionally, such flights are only for planes taking off or landing at area airports. Activities such as practice approaches and flight training are prohibited within the 30-mile radius. Such restrictions will affect flight schools such as those at the McGregor airport.
"It's limiting our flight training," said Rob Blanchard, McGregor Executive Airport manager. "But we're making do. Some of the guys are taking their airplanes outside the 30-mile limit and practicing."
John Clabes, an FAA spokesman, said he was unsure of the details regarding the restrictions but said flight limitations normally increase when the president is at his ranch.
"You cannot fly in those areas when he's there," Clabes said.
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, the world's largest aviation association, has questioned the need for increasing airspace restrictions in light of the White House's relaxing the national security threat level from the second to third highest levels on Tuesday.
"We ask the FAA and security communities to take a serious look at the need for a restricted area this large," Melissa K. Bailey, the aircraft association's vice president of air traffic, said in a news release.
The association said pilots should follow these restrictions to the letter as violations could jeopardize their licenses and also expose their aircraft to the possibility of armed interception by military aircraft.
The president spent Thursday night at the Western White House near Crawford following a day of appearances that included stumping for state Attorney General John Cornyn, who is running for the U.S. Senate. Bush is off for other campaign appearances in Colorado and Arizona today but is expected to spend the rest of the weekend at his ranch.
Richard L. Smith can be reached at 757-5745 or at rsmith@wacotrib.com.
Seems out of character to me, and the McGregor Airport mentioned in the article loses revenues everytime the President is in Crawford. I would bet this is a Secret Service directive.
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