Cape Cod Presidential TFR: August 9 - 17, 2014

[Evan Reiter]

There are two Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) located over Cape Cod between August 9 and August 25 for VIP movement. The first TFR, which is only effective for 75 minutes on August 9, covers KFMH. The second, which will be more relevant to our operations, impacts operations around Cape Cod starting at 11:45am ET on August 9 and ending at 11:59pm ET on August 17. Centered on KMVY, the TFR also affects KEWB, KACK, and KHYA. However, operations at KPYM and KUUU are excluded.

 

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.

 

Both TFRs will be enforced 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 provided an explanation of 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 the Martha's Vineyard VOR (MVY), excluding 2nm "cutouts" around KUUU and KPYM. The “inner core” consists of the airspace within a 10nm radius of MVY. Both of the cores extend from the surface up to but not including 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 “inner core” will affect flight operations to/from KACK and at KMVY.

 

Please note that IFR or VFR flights to/from KACK are not permitted to transit the “inner core”. Ensure to file flight plans to remain clear of the 10nm radius of MVY.

 

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.

 

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.

[Chris Raabe]

Have F-18 with missles will travel :)

[Guest John Girard]

Why are we playing with F/A-18 "with missiles?" As far as I know, no aircraft has been shot down by missiles or guns in recent memory. This scenario may be fun for video game players, but it is very unrealistic and juvenile.

[Guest Jonathan Asher]

There is a number of members of our community who have extensive military knowledge as well as flying ability. This group often chooses to fly F/A-18's during events involving restricted airspace. They operate realistically when they do choose to fly, and although it's not possible to actually shoot someone down in our server, they wouldn't anyway. He was joking about the missile part, I assure you. It's not like random Gamespy pilots are jumping in F/A-18's here, these guys are more than competent.

[Chris Raabe]

Why are we playing with F/A-18 "with missiles?" As far as I know, no aircraft has been shot down by missiles or guns in recent memory. This scenario may be fun for video game players, but it is very unrealistic and juvenile.

 

The last air to air engagement was actually in 2003 when Iraq tried to send up aircraft against us during the invasion. We practice BFM and ACM constantly so that pilots are at their A game and Vietnam does not happen again.

 

If you think that fighters aren't around during a TFR you sir are the unrealistic minded person. Look up Operation Noble Eagle now that it has been declassified and enlighten yourself. If you think that fighters are only used for "war" you are wrong.

 

I apologize if I am coming across strong but I take this as a personal slight. As a member of the Air Force for 12 years I try to conduct our Military Community as we do in the real world.

[Chris Raabe]

I'll make it easy. Here is a link to an article that will inform you...

http://www.afhso.af.mil/topics/factshee ... p?id=18593

[Lou Bakerer]

Have we simulated any intercepts on BVA in the past? Would we simulate one if needed during this TFR?

Just curious. Sounds like yet another step toward blurring the line ... :)

 

On a related note: could an F-18 keep up with a 172 at 90 KIAS? Wouldn't that be below even Vref? :lol:

[Chris Raabe]

Have we simulated any intercepts on BVA in the past? Would we simulate one if needed during this TFR?

Just curious. Sounds like yet another step toward blurring the line ... :)

 

On a related note: could an F-18 keep up with a 172 at 90 KIAS? Wouldn't that be below even Vref? :lol:

 

We have multiple times during the Washington SFRA Challenge. And a time or two while flying on the server we have been asked by center to check out an aircraft. So I fully expect center to use us where needed during this TFR.

 

And no we cant that slow. But when one is cruising at VNe -1 we can. Just gotta be light and drop gear and flaps. Nothing says "Hi" like an F-18 off your wing :)

[Lou Bakerer]

Nothing says "Hi" like an F-18 off your wing :)

 

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When I saw this picture, I instinctively asked the pilot "what VIP TFR did you bust?" :)

 

During my PPL training, I learned the intercept procedure for slow aircraft. One fighter flies past the suspicious aircraft and across its path and the aircraft is supposed to follow it down to land. Because the second fighter is behind the aircraft ... with a missile lock. :shock:

 

Now a question: how does the second fighter stay "behind" if it is much faster that the aircraft it is supposed to follow? High AOA with supplemental power? (as in: "stand it up on the tail"?) Just curious about the procedure. Unless it is classified. :mrgreen:

[Chris Raabe]

 

Now a question: how does the second fighter stay "behind" if it is much faster that the aircraft it is supposed to follow? High AOA with supplemental power? (as in: "stand it up on the tail"?) Just curious about the procedure. Unless it is classified. :mrgreen:

 

Slow and lazy S turns allows fighters to stay behind the aircraft. They don't need to be nose on. As long as they have a radar lock they can turn and fire in a matter of seconds if the need arises.

[Evan Reiter]

As was the case last year, any of the "approved" military operators listed in this forum post would be permitted to act as intercept aircraft. Intercepts will be conducted on an as-needed basis, ONLY while ATC is online, and in the same manner you would expect in real life. There will absolutely not be any unnecessary intercepts nor will any sort of "missiles" be simulated (that statement being a joke). Anyone who attempts to fly a military aircraft who is NOT on that list will be treated as they would in any other regular server setting.

 

Just like one of our Washington SFRA events, flying in to this TFR in an attempt to "see what happens" is absolutely unacceptable. That being said, we are obviously a learning community, and anyone who accidentally violates any of the TFR areas will be treated as they would in the real world. We'll do our best to educate and help so the same thing doesn't happen when flying.

 

The intention of simulating the TFR is to provide the level of realism that our members expect during our regular operations. It will be simulated in the same, professional manner that the rest of our operations are.

[Lou Bakerer]

Just to clarify, we did not mean to imply that anybody should attempt any deliberate violations of the TFR (may it be simulated or not).

But it is good to know that the controllers will try to keep the designated area safe.

 

Hmm, come to think of it, will we get to see or hear the famous AF1 in action during the month of August? :-)

[Devon Hathaway]

Why are we playing with F/A-18 "with missiles?" As far as I know, no aircraft has been shot down by missiles or guns in recent memory. This scenario may be fun for video game players, but it is very unrealistic and juvenile.

John, you can actually find ATC recordings of intercept aircraft escorting an unidentified aircraft to the ground in California last year during a TFR, so it actually happens a lot...and these guys WILL fire if aircraft is non-compliant, it just hasn't happened yet.

[Cody Outten]

I think the "this is an armed US Air Force fighter" would make someone want to comply.

[Guest John Girard]

Guys, thanks. I do see your point and you have changed my mind.

[Guest Bill Serra]

Have we simulated any intercepts on BVA in the past? Would we simulate one if needed during this TFR?

Just curious. Sounds like yet another step toward blurring the line ... :)

 

On a related note: could an F-18 keep up with a 172 at 90 KIAS? Wouldn't that be below even Vref? :lol:

 

We have multiple times during the Washington SFRA Challenge. And a time or two while flying on the server we have been asked by center to check out an aircraft. So I fully expect center to use us where needed during this TFR.

 

And no we cant that slow. But when one is cruising at VNe -1 we can. Just gotta be light and drop gear and flaps. Nothing says "Hi" like an F-18 off your wing :)

 

 

A bit of BVA history. Two years ago we had a fighter prototype capable of firing two missiles and disabling FSX aircraft on impact. We conducted some successful tests.

 

The prototype constrained the missile’s trajectory using a list of parameters (range, weight, max speed…). The constraints were intended to add realism and to make the fighter pilots think carefully before launching a missile.

 

Because of the constraints, careless launches would miss their targets. Successful launches would cause the target to go down in flames and crash. The prototype was fun to use but unfortunately didn’t scale well. Also, the physics needed some extra work to be called a simulation.

 

Even if we had polished the physics the effort would have been fruitless. Our server is not equipped to handle the strain of a missile simulation on top of handling 20+ players. Also, adding the necessary special effects for the FSX clients would have taken a time we didn’t have.

 

We dropped the prototype but we have not forgotten about it.

 

Cheers,

 

b.

[Evan Reiter]

The TFR will be live in just under an hour! Additionally, there have been a few changes to my post above reflecting the new TFR which has a much shorter duration (ending on the 17th instead of the 25th) and also excludes a 2nm ring around KPYM and KUUU. We'll keep updating this post as any additional changes to the TFR are enforced.