FAA issues Disneyworld flight restrictions

AOPA via the Internet

[Orbiter]

----------------------------------------------------------------- AOPA ePilot Special Airspace Bulletin March 18, 2003 -----------------------------------------------------------------

A special notice to AOPA members in Florida

==> ATTENTION PILOTS <==

FAA ISSUES FLIGHT RESTRICTION NOTAM OVER DISNEY WORLD AOPA is sending you this message to advise you that the FAA has established a 3-nautical-mile flight restriction around the Disney World theme park. Aircraft are now prohibited below 3,000 feet agl within the restriction area. Because of elevated concerns for terrorist activities, the restriction is effective until further notice. The full text of the notam follows.

3/2122 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). THIS RESTRICTION DOES NOT APPLY TO: (A) THOSE AIRCRAFT AUTHORIZED BY ATC FOR OPERATIONAL OR SAFETY PURPOSES, INCLUDING AIRCRAFT ARRIVING OR DEPARTING FROM AN AIRPORT USING STANDARD AIR TRAFFIC PROCEDURES; (B) DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, LAW ENFORCEMENT, OR AEROMEDICAL FLIGHT OPERATIONS THAT ARE IN CONTACT WITH ATC. THOSE WHO MEET ANY OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA MAY APPLY FOR A WAIVER TO THESE RESTRICTIONS: (A) FOR OPERATIONAL PURPOSES OF THE VENUE INCLUDING THE TRANSPORTATION OF EQUIPMENT OR OFFICIALS OF THE GOVERNING BODY; (B) FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY PURPOSES OF THE VENUE. INFORMATION REGARDING WAIVER APPLICATIONS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE FAA WEBSITE AT ( http://www1.faa.gov/ats/ata/waiver/ ), OR BY CALLING 571-227-1322.

See AOPA Online for a graphic ( http://www.aopa.org/images/whatsnew/newsitems/2003/notams/3-2122.jpg ).

Because airspace restrictions can change, AOPA strongly advises pilots to contact flight service for the latest information prior to any flight. Check AOPA Online ( http://www.aopa.org ) for updates on the airspace situation.

[magellan]

This must be what "Orange Alert Plus" means.

[Salvation]

Orange +

[Brad’s Gramma]

Also Disneyland, Washington D.C., New York....and who knows where else.

[Boundless]

> 3-nautical-mile flight restriction around the Disney
> World theme park. Aircraft are now prohibited below
> 3,000 feet agl within the restriction area.

Does anyone know what possible scenarios this could defend against?
No, belay that. If there are any, let's not publish them.
Let's just say that those limits are pretty useless against
all of the general aviation-based threats I've ever heard of.

Why do I have a suspicion that this is something Disney has wished
on a star for since they opened the place, so that they aren't
bothered by citizens taking a gander from the air?

...and that, like copyright on Mickey, it will never expire.

[Dog Gone]

Does this apply to Dumbo?

[relee]

Tonight, TV 4 news in DC had video of an anti-aircraft missile battery on a hill near DC at dusk. Hope they do a better job stopping missiles than they do tractors ;)

[octobersky]

Yes, and Tinkerbell too. ;-)

[Orbiter]

Although visually "eavesdropping" on everyone's backyard is sometimes facinating, the only interesting thing worth seeing from the air over Disneyworld is the nightly fireworks display. Everything else looks pretty much like 3-meter-resolution satellite pics.

[IncPen]

"Uh... We're gonna lay low for a while..."

_{I wonder if they're concerned about this at Team Disney?}

[FreeLibertarian]

The restrictions will of course be lifted as soon as Micky completes covering Disney World in sheets of plastic and duct tape.

[musicman]

Freeper "Grandpa Dave" has a list of French things to boycott.I thought I read that "Universal Studios" was on the "French-owned" list.

I guess that means ChIRAQ will have to stand out in front of the place,waving a white flag to keep Universal "safe"???

[dgallo51]

Hey musicman, that's what Tom "Terrific" Daschle, (D-UN) is for. He and Ted "hold my cocktail" Kennedy will take shifts with the French silks! Talk about your lowly worms!

[ewing]

'hard orange?'

[The Wizard]

Dumbo is cleared

[Mamzelle]

re: so that they aren't bothered by citizens taking a gander from the air? )))

Considering how many lousy hobby pilots there are, anxious to find something interesting to do once the takeoff is accomplished, this is most prudent on Disney's part. Anyone with a little money these days is sprouting wings and crashing. A lot of landowners don't particularly like incompetent birdies flying overhead.

[Petronski]

"I am deeply
saddened."

[PBRSTREETGANG]

Why? Is Disney hosting another "Gay Day"?

[Orbiter]

Back up your "observation" with appropriate statistics from any reliable source. And don't tuck tail and run now that the world knows you as the total idiot you've shown yourself to be.