The FAA has restricted flights over the Gulf: news blackout

An article today from the N.O. Times-Picayune describes this:

http://www.nola.com/news/gulf-oil-spill/index.ssf/2010/05/limits_on_access_to_oiled_wate.html

When a photographer from The Times-Picayune earlier this week tried to hire a plane to fly over Grand Isle, the charter plane company was told that the flight could not descend below 3,000 feet.

Southern Seaplane owner Rhonda Panepinto said her husband called the BP Command Center on Tuesday for permission to fly photographer Ted Jackson over Grand Isle, so that he could take pictures of the impact of the spreading oil from the Deepwater Horizon well. But the plane company was told by a BP contractor that media flights weren't allowed in the restricted air space established by the Federal Aviation Administration.

"They told him absolutely no media or press on any planes. The press flights are limited to Saturdays only and only in Coast Guard helicopters," Panepinto said.

Southern Seaplane officials have complained about this restriction, as well as broader controls on their ability to fly other people into the "temporary flight restriction" area in the Gulf, to the FAA. The restricted area is large, including huge swaths of the coastline miles away from the Deepwater Horizon site. The 3,000-feet restriction means that photographers hiring private planes would have to fly so high they are unlikely to get clear photos of the ground.

In a statement, the FAA maintains that BP employees or contractors are not calling the shots on who gets to fly into the restricted air space, saying those decisions are made by the FAA and Coast Guard. But agency spokespeople acknowledge that media access is limited, saying they are only allowing flights into the restricted area that are directly related to the disaster response.

***

A "temporary flight restriction area"??? By the FAA??? This is so unkosher, it's crazy.

were flights suspended after katrina?

i don't remember that.

I want to recall one after 911 and Katrina. They are also done during large public events etc. They are also put up whenever the President or other VIPs are in the immediate area.

There is a similar permanent limitation over Disneyland and Disneyworld (3000ft)

Also the 3k limit should not substantively interfere with news gathering.

The larger point is that there are temporary and permanent restricted areas, normally limited to 3000AGL, instituted all the time. Some are clearly at the behest of private businesses, such as Disney.

9/11 for one. Then check out the 15 & 1/2 hour delay (June 16, 1999) into setting up a standard search & rescue for JFK Jr's crashed airplane.

15 and 1/2 hour delay?! Like wtf? They knew exactly where his plane was the minute it dropped below 200 ft. of altitude.

n/t

Who signed off on this and why? I could understand if it was for security reasons, but an environmental disaster? Seems that someone wants to control the coverage. And why might that be? If our media is not free, are we?

The right wing has owned it for a couple decades now.

Perhaps you should re-read my post.

indicating that they have something to hide (which of course we know they do).

Hiding something pretty terribly, I'd reckon. Something the wrong eyes will identify with a quick peek.

Jean-Michel Cousteau was turned away too. Quote from this article:

http://www.newsweek.com/2010/05/26/the-missing-oil-spill-photos.html

found in this related DU thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4401658#top

... and this infuriates me, not letting scientists fly over is the real warning bell for me. Methinks some journalists and scientists need to team up down there.

What fresh hell is this?

How would they get in the way?

I tend to look on the negative/paranoid side when temporary rules that restrict access are used by the defense dept, police, Homeland security etc. because based on past experience many times it is done for the wrong reasons.
I may be wrong, but in this instance I see a legitimate safety concern. Could easily envision a mid-air collision.

The last thing they need is gawkers getting in the way, and potentially running into each other or those working on the leak. Also, imagine what a mess they'd have if, for whatever reason, a commercial jet went down in the slick. I think this is for safety, and not an attempt to hide something. Everyone already knows the Gulf is severely crapped up.

Good grief people in this country find all sorts of excuses as to why the stick jammed up their collective asses is for their own good based on imaginary medical purposes, and not just it being the instrument of sodomy that Occam's razor dictates it to be.

as the coffee hits the keyboard...

:rofl:

that it's coming from Obama's FAA. :argh:

Change, my arse.

Assuming a flight over a supposed restricted area showed a bunch of oil
on/under the water, what exactly would that prove that we don't already know?

unless, of course, you're BP.

or if flights just can't go lower than 3000 ft.

"When a photographer from The Times-Picayune earlier this week tried to hire a plane to fly over Grand Isle, the charter plane company was told that the flight could not descend below 3,000 feet."

If the ban is just on a "floor" then there is no problem. That would be a safety issue considering the increase in helicopter flights that, I'm sure, are occurring. That's bullshit about not getting good pictures from that height. The right lens on a good camera and that problem is solved.

Must provide reason for flight etc and any may be restricted, canceled or not allowed at all. None other than BP, who has free reign, are being approved. If you can add 2 and 2 together this should tell you something....The restriction of news people and their cameras to the beaches and air + this should set alarm bells ringing very loudly. Giving the benefit of doubt away so carelessly and cheaply is not going to work out well. Tripping over two, toogood shoes, whilst singing "The sun'll come out tomorrow" and tipping a hat to the wise wisdom of Pollyanna is a dangerous tack to follow under these catastrophic circumstances. Feet to fire should be the least we should be able to muster while demanding "prove it" at every grand flourish and promise; Without cracking a smile or breaking into clap. We are in serious trouble and a million dollar smile and a shuffle off to Buffalo, is not going to cure that trouble. My anger over this cannot be contained. No words suffice.

4th paragraph "The 3,000-feet restriction means that photographers hiring private planes would have to fly so high they are unlikely to get clear photos of the ground."

since nobody knows how to fix the leak. But I will give him a lot of blame if media is being restricted. That is unacceptable unless it's accompanied by a VERY good explanation.

I doubt there's anyone whose not in total denial who knows there's a massive ocean of oil that can be seen from satellite. I've also seen several reports of people riding in boats showing the amount of oil in the water and the affect its having on wildlife. This isn't being hidden and can't. It's an ugly situation that gets worse and until the gusher stops spewing, this slow motion disaster will spread.

I can see the FAA restrcting airspace around the site as it's akin to a crime scene right now...allowing every news operation to fly in and around poses a safety threat. What happens if a couple of those planes collide trying to take pictures or there's an engine failure...did "our right to know" become more valuable than the lifes that could be lost?

image is everything

and flight patterns would still have to be adhered to ..and controls would still be in place. No matter what the altitude of the aircraft...or helicopter.

They are stopping this because it would be horrible PR ...that is the only damn reason.

Wow there is alot of Bullshit being flown around here to make excuses!

...indicates nothing special unless there's military training activity over the Gulf.

Stay above 3000', see and be seen, play by the VFR rules, and there's nothing much limiting you.

that needed to be said.

The vast majority of VFR (visual) flights do not require flight plans.

"What happens if a couple of those planes collide trying to take pictures or there's an engine failure."

Yes, our right to know - why would you put that in quotation marks? - is more valuable than the lives that could be lost. You dishonor the reporters and photographers who have risked and lost their lives over the years to get the truth to the public.

There is no reason to believe that there is any more likelihood of "planes colliding" then there would be at any other time.

"Allowing?" Do we live in a police state? I guess we do. Strange that there is no shortage of power and authority and equipment and expertise for suppression of the press, but none of those things are available to respond to the catastrophe.

The same people who claim that the government "can do nothing" to protect public welfare or rein in BP are very quick to grant that same government complete authority and power over us and applaud and promote police state ideas about that.

Reporters do not have any right to be at the "crime scene," but the perpetrators do? Why are we not blocking BP's access? Because we need their experts and equipment? Good. Put their experts on the federal payroll. Borrow their equipment.

The government can seize all of the property of a person accused of having pot. But we cannot commandeer equipment from people accused of destroying the Gulf?

We actually have Democrats arguing that the government has no role, and no capability to protect public welfare, nor should it, yet the same government has everything it needs - and should - to police us and the press. That is not merely the right wing concept of government, it is the totalitarian concept of government.

The government is protecting corporations from the public, rather than the other way around, And Democrats are applauding that.

after all, the Gulf is such a tiny pond. :eyes:

NOTAM Number : FDC 0/9859 Download shapefiles
Issue Date : May 11, 2010 at 2220 UTC
Location : GULF OF MEXICO OIL SPILL AND AFFECTED COASTLINE., United States
Beginning Date and Time : May 12, 2010 at 0200 UTC
Ending Date and Time : Until further notice
Reason for NOTAM : DUE TO THE NUMEROUS LOW LEVEL OPERATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE DEEPWATER HORIZON
Type : Hazards
Replaced NOTAM(s) : N/A
Pilots May Contact : Houma air operations center (ZHU) Center, 985-493-7607

Airspace Definition:
Region bounded by:

Latitude: Longitude: FRD:
From: 29º05'00"N 90º40'00"W LEV258030.1
To: 30º00'00"N 89º00'00"W GPT169024.7
To: 30º00'00"N 87º00'00"W
To: 28º00'00"N 87º00'00"W PFN208149.6
To: 28º00'00"N 90º40'00"W LEV201076.3
To: 29º05'00"N 90º40'00"W LEV258030.1
Altitude: From the surface up to and including 3000 feet AGL
Effective Date(s):
From May 12, 2010 at 0200 UTC
Until further notice

...and Bob's your uncle.

Well, BP has the Coast Guard in their backpocket so, ultimately, BP is calling the shots.

wow bullshit is flown around here to make excuses like i have only seen by "the other party"

This is a crock of shit..and it is being done for PR purposes only!

Thad Allen...same dude in charge during KATRINA!

Ain't America Grand?

And, winners should be posted for a day. And give to anyone there if the journalists don't arrive on time.

You may only get an hour or two and you won't know when, but it's better and fairer than nothing.

The media is making stories about themselves being unable to report on the fact that there's oil out in the water that we know is out in the water. It's getting ridiculous. If only they had this determination to get the story right when the nation was being marched into a war in 2002. By all means let them in just so they can STFU about this BS of supposedly not being given access to something that we already know is out there as a fact.

"They told him absolutely no media or press on any planes. The press flights are limited to Saturdays only and only in Coast Guard helicopters," Panepinto said.

And that also means only reporters from major bureaus, not any of those unruly and hard to control independent investigative journalists.

Looks like they've decided to employ war tactics they used in iraq to U.S. territory.

On CNN.

“Louisiana isn’t the only place that has shrimp!”

Just despicable.

when we were running classified tests. We were able to coordinate with the FAA and get the airspace closed off around where we were working.

So the first thing I think when I hear this is that they've ruled it a restricted area because of "national security" - which I don't believe has shit to do with foreign threats, but perhaps a concern that something really bad will happen with stock markets, or riots/protests, something like that.

One thing I've noticed with this administration is that corporate profits have been intermingled with the concept of national security more than I ever remember in the past, or maybe I wasn't playing as close attention. There seems to be a repeating theme with the bailouts, cash for clunkers, etc. that it would create a "national crisis" for the largest corporations to go under (to not have their expenses & risks put on the tax payer's shoulders, in other words).

The scenario I'm imagining is that Obama's decided we the public will shut down off shore drilling, people will bail from entire cities and regions, etc. if they know how bad it is.

I would love to see what's going on with investments by people in the know, because you can bet that if we're being kept in the dark as long as possible to prevent sell offs, the people who aren't in the dark are taking advantage of that situation.

and HSA are making plans for evacuation. Especially if a hurricane enters the Gulf.

I believe the oil has entered the Loop and we'll see evidence on the east coast of FL and in the Keys. It is beyond a catastrophe.

Now, just add a Financial Disaster. Remember the US took all of the Corporate toxic assets off their books. Now we are seeing the beginnings of Sovereign Debt problems. There is no where else to put this DEBT. Now entire countries can default...who is going to save them?

This summer may be a perfect storm of disasters. :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke:

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The path that lays ahead is very dark to me.

"One thing I've noticed with this administration is that corporate profits have been intermingled with the concept of national security more than I ever remember."

Yes. Yes, indeed. That is interesting.

is complicit? The oil is going to be seen sooner or later and by being secretive, it just pisses everyone off even more so.

This is fascist behavior. WASF.

Ever think about that?

:)

at a low altitude created a spark of some type and caused an uncontrolled fire.

Message so muddled (and some of us here are buying into it) that most pilots (being cautious in nature people) will avoid the area entirely.

NOTAM Number : FDC 0/2957 Download shapefiles
Issue Date : May 28, 2010 at 1911 UTC
Location : . GULF OF MEXICO OIL SPILL AND AFFECTED COASTLINE. THIS , United States
Beginning Date and Time : Effective Immediately
Ending Date and Time : Until further notice
Reason for NOTAM : DUE TO THE NUMEROUS LOW LEVEL OPERATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE DEEPWATER HORIZON
Type : Hazards
Replaced NOTAM(s) : 0/2351: THIS NOTAM REPLACES FDC 0/2351.
Pilots May Contact : Houma air operations center (ZHU) Center, 985-493-7607
Jump To: Affected Areas
Operating Restrictions and Requirements
Other Information
Affected Area(s) Top
Airspace Definition:
Region bounded by:

Latitude: Longitude: FRD:
From: 29º05'00"N 90º40'00"W LEV258030.1
To: 30º00'00"N 89º00'00"W
To: 30º00'00"N 87º00'00"W CEW196052.2
To: 28º00'00"N 87º00'00"W PFN208149.6
To: 28º00'00"N 90º40'00"W LEV201076.3
To: 29º05'00"N 90º40'00"W LEV258030.1
Altitude: From the surface up to and including 3000 feet AGL

0/2957

Click for Larger Map
Click for Sectional
NOTAM Text
Operating Restrictions and Requirements Top
No pilots may operate an aircraft in the areas covered by this NOTAM (except as described).

Pursuant to 14 CFR section 91.137(a)(1) temporary flight restrictions are in effect for deepwater horizon/mississippi canyon (mc252) incident cleanup and reconstitution operations an area bounded by: 290500n/0904000w or the leeville /lev/ vortac 258 degree radial at 30.1 NM to 300000n/0890000w or the gulfport /gpt/ vortac 169 degree radial at 24.7 NM to 300000n/0870000w or the crestview /cew/ vortac 196 degree radial at 52.2 NM to 280000n/0870000w or the panama city /pfn/ vortac 208 degree radial at 149.6 NM to 280000n/0904000w or the leeville /lev/ vortac 201 degree radial at 76.3 NM to the point of beginning at and below 3000 feet AGL excluding the airspace outside of 12 nautical miles from the us coastline. This area is also depicted on u.S. Gulf coast VFR aeronautical chart id helgc as an area bounded from south pelto 2/sp02 then to south pass 6/sp06 then to chandler 39/ch39 then to pensacola 984/pe984 then to desoto canyon 635/dc635 to south timbalair 242/st242 and then back to original point. All aircraft operations are prohibited except those flights authorized by ATC, routine flights supporting offshore oil operations; federal, State, local and military flight operations supporting oil spill recovery and reconstitution efforts; and air medical and law enforcement operations.

1. All pilots operating within and near this area including the shoreline should exercise extreme caution due to the numerous low level operations associated with the deepwater horizon/mc-252 incident 3000 feet and below.

2. Aircraft involved in these operations may make sudden changes in direction, speed, and altitude. For additional information, participating aircraft altitude assignments and awareness, all pilots are recommended to review the following web site dedicated to the aviation cleanup efforts at: https://1afnorth.Region1.Ang.Af.Mil/deepwater_spill/default.Aspx

3. The incident commander has directed that aircraft participating in the deepwater horizon/mc252 incident, operate at the altitudes assigned by mission type unless otherwise directed.

4. Oil industry aircraft on routine support missions within the TFR area should not operate below 1500 feet until within 2 nautical miles of their landing platform/site and remain on their assigned mode 3a code at all times.

5. Participating aircraft in the recovery efforts are required to contact houma air operations at 985-493-7607 for assigned work area and mode 3a beacon code assignments. Aircraft shall squawk The assigned mode 3a beacon code at all times while inside the TFR.

6. With the exception of aircraft conducting aerial chemical dispersing operations;no fixed wing aircraft are authorized below 1000 feet above the surface unless for landing and takeoff

7. For additional information on air operations within the deepwater horizon TFR see website: https://1afnorth.Region1.Ang.Af.Mil/deepwater_spill/default.Aspx.

8. Pilots are advised to check notams frequently for possible changes prior to operating in this area.

9. Exceptions: operations not covered by the above authorizations may be permitted on a case-by-case basis dependent upon safety issues, operational requirements, weather conditions, and traffic volume. Flights authorized under this exception must be conducted under visual flight rules. Pilots requesting flights under this exception must contact the houma deepwater horizon incident air operations center at 985-493-7804 between the hours of 0600-1800 cst, a minimum of 24 hours prior to desired flight time. Operators should be prepared to provide precise details of their requested flight including: pilots name and contact information, company/organization, purpose of flight, type aircraft, callsign, ingress/egress points and times, Requested altitude and route of flight. Pilots will then be provided with additional instructions for obtaining final approval and beacon code assignment. 10. Pilots should be aware that flights approved under this exception are subject to last minute change or cancellation due to the dynamic nature of this event. Houma air operations center at 985-493-7607 is the coordination facility. For information about this NOTAM contact the system operations support center (SOSC) at 202-267-8276.

Other Information: Top
ARTCC: ZHU - Houston Center
Point of Contact: SOSC
Telephone 202-267-8276
Authority: Title 14 CFR section 91.137(a)(1)

http://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_0_2957.html

See the fine print-

14 CFR part 91.137 specially says the flight restrictions don't apply to news organizations who file a flight plan-

It's in section 91.137(c)(4) and (d)(5).

--------------------------------------------

Sec. 91.137 - Temporary flight restrictions in the vicinity of disaster/hazard areas.

(a) The Administrator will issue a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) designating an area within which temporary flight restrictions apply and specifying the hazard or condition requiring their imposition, whenever he determines it is necessary in order to --

(1) Protect persons and property on the surface or in the air from a hazard associated with an incident on the surface;

(2) Provide a safe environment for the operation of disaster relief aircraft; or

(3) Prevent an unsafe congestion of sightseeing and other aircraft above an incident or event which may generate a high degree of public interest.

The Notice to Airmen will specify the hazard or condition that requires the imposition of temporary flight restrictions.

(b) When a NOTAM has been issued under paragraph (a)(1) of this section, no person may operate an aircraft within the designated area unless that aircraft is participating in the hazard relief activities and is being operated under the direction of the official in charge of on scene emergency response activities.

(c) When a NOTAM has been issued under paragraph (a)(2) of this section, no person may operate an aircraft within the designated area unless at least one of the following conditions are met:

(1) The aircraft is participating in hazard relief activities and is being operated under the direction of the official in charge of on scene emergency response activities.

(2) The aircraft is carrying law enforcement officials.

(3) The aircraft is operating under the ATC approved IFR flight plan.

(4) The operation is conducted directly to or from an airport within the area, or is necessitated by the impracticability of VFR flight above or around the area due to weather, or terrain; notification is given to the Flight Service Station (FSS) or ATC facility specified in the NOTAM to receive advisories concerning disaster relief aircraft operations; and the operation does not hamper or endanger relief activities and is not conducted for the purpose of observing the disaster.

-->>(5) The aircraft is carrying properly accredited news representatives, and, prior to entering the area, a flight plan is filed with the appropriate FAA or ATC facility specified in the Notice to Airmen and the operation is conducted above the altitude used by the disaster relief aircraft, unless otherwise authorized by the official in charge of on scene emergency response activities.

(d) When a NOTAM has been issued under paragraph (a)(3) of this section, no person may operate an aircraft within the designated area unless at least one of the following conditions is met:

(1) The operation is conducted directly to or from an airport within the area, or is necessitated by the impracticability of VFR flight above or around the area due to weather or terrain, and the operation is not conducted for the purpose of observing the incident or event.

(2) The aircraft is operating under an ATC approved IFR flight plan.

(3) The aircraft is carrying incident or event personnel, or law enforcement officials.

(4) The aircraft is carrying properly accredited news representatives and, prior to entering that area, a flight plan is filed with the appropriate FSS or ATC facility specified in the NOTAM.

(e) Flight plans filed and notifications made with an FSS or ATC facility under this section shall include the following information:

(1) Aircraft identification, type and color.

(2) Radio communications frequencies to be used.

(3) Proposed times of entry of, and exit from, the designated area.

(4) Name of news media or organization and purpose of flight.

(5) Any other information requested by ATC.

We've been a corporatocracy for years, but this is the first time they've been this open about it.

nt

so will murderers get to determine who gets to visit the scene of their crime as well? :crazy:

I don't want planes all over the place when I have actual assets that have to move in and out of the zone.

Excuse me for the technicalese, but I forgot my tin foil hat...

Gee, I can't imagine why the airspace was restricted there.

Step One: Complain Obama isn't visiting.

Step Two: Complain about access restrictions when he visits.

Is there any chance they wanted a flyover while Obama was on the island? Cause that would be a legit reason for a temporary flight block. And the timing seems superficially right.

Then again it could be less kosher. I would love to live in a time and place where I felt the ptb could be trusted on at least the little things

They are flying low-level tankers spraying dispersant chemicals and god knows what all over the spill, and many won't be using a fixed flight path. So, keeping uninvolved aircraft out of the area makes that a bit safer and easier for all concerned.

But it still smacks of protecting the corporation responsible from negative publicity/press.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/05/18/national/main6496846.shtml?tag=topnews

for very long.

:cry:

:argh: