August 10-19 Cape Cod TFR (FDC 3/4338)

[Evan Reiter]

There is a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) located over Cape Cod from August 10 to 19 for VIP movement. The TFR covers the majority of the Cape TRACON, centered on KMVY but also covering KEWB, KACK, and KHYA. You can view the TFR on http://www.skyvector.com (find KACK, then turn on “Temporary Flight Restrictions” under “Layers”). You can also see a graphical depiction of the TFR as well as the full set of restrictions on the FAA’s TFRs site.

 

For one of the first times on BVA, we’ll be actively simulating the restrictions associated with this TFR while ATC is online. The objective of doing so is to increase awareness of TFRs and other types of Special Use Airspace on our server.

 

While you can try to decode the FAA’s language using the link above, we've explained the TFR in what we hope are friendlier terms below.

 

There are two different parts of this TFR. The “outer core” consists of the airspace within a 30nm radius of KMVY. The “inner cores” consist of two 10nm areas located over the KMVY and KFMH airports. Each have their own restrictions. Both cores extend from the surface to 18,000’ MSL.

 

 

In the “outer core”, VFR and IFR aircraft are permitted to operate provided:

• The aircraft has filed and is on an active VFR or IFR flight plan.
  
• The aircraft has been assigned and is squawking a discrete squawk code.
  
• The aircraft maintains two-way radio communication with ATC.

The two “inner cores” will affect flight operations to/from KACK and at KMVY.

 

Flights to/from KACK are not permitted to transit the “inner cores” and our normal preferred routes (V141 or FREDO) do transit this airspace. Thus, until the end of the TFR, aircraft flying to and from Nantucket should use “LFV” as their route.

 

Aircraft departing KMVY must have an active VFR or IFR flight plan and be in contact with ATC.

 

Commercial aircraft wishing to fly to KMVY can do so normally, provided they are in contact with ATC at all times while in the TFR (and on an active flight plan). General aviation aircraft are required to depart one of three “gateway” airports (in real-world, you would have to be screened by the TSA at one of these three locations):

• Westchester County Airport (KHPN)
  
• Barnstable Municipal Airport (KHYA)
  
• Providence/Green State Airport (KPVD)

For BVA’s purposes, General Aviation aircraft will be permitted to land at KMVY only under the following circumstances:

• The aircraft has departed from one of the gateway airports listed above
  
• The aircraft files a direct VFR or IFR flight plan from a gateway airport to KMVY
  
• The aircraft is squawking a discrete, ATC-assigned code
  
• The aircraft remains in contact with ATC throughout the flight, and does not stop from the gateway airport to KMVY

As mentioned, the purpose of simulating this TFR is to improve awareness of Special Use Airspace and to help all of us learn more about how TFRs work. Pilots that are unfamiliar with, or violate, the TFR won’t be punished, and no TFR restrictions apply when ATC is offline. Our pilots, controllers, and even administrators (read: me) are learning, so please show your patience and understanding at all times while practicing operations around this TFR. Post your questions here and let us know of any issues that may arise (as well as anything about this forum post that may be unclear).

 

For more information on Temporary Flight Restrictions and other types of Special Use Airspace, please click here.

 

As a reminder, the TFR becomes active at 1900 UTC (3pm ET) tomorrow (August 10). Enjoy!

[Devon Hathaway]

I'm glad my name isn't on the list lol

[Chris Raabe]

Yay me!