FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION
FLIGHT ADVISORY
NATIONAL SPECIAL SECURITY EVENT
2008 REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION
September 1- 4, 2008
The REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION (RNC) will be held in Minneapolis-Saint Paul, MN from September 1 to September 4, 2008. Before and during the RNC, the President of the United States and a number of other government officials are expected to arrive in the area for the RNC. Because the event has been designated a National Special Security Event, the United States Secret Service is the lead agency in charge of security design, planning and implementation.
Pursuant to 49 USC 40103(B), The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) classifies the airspace defined in these NOTAMs as "National Defense Airspace". Any person who knowingly or willfully violates the rules concerning operations in this airspace may be subject to certain criminal penalties under 49 USC 46307. Pilots who do not adhere to the following procedures may be intercepted, detained and interviewed by Law Enforcement/USSS/Security Personnel.
Be advised that noncompliance with the published NOTAM may result in the use of force.
To ensure the airspace is secure during this event, airspace restrictions will be in place around Minneapolis-Saint Paul. The restrictions are designed to provide a safe and secure environment for the RNC, but also ensure fair and equitable access to all airspace users, to the greatest extent possible. The restrictions will allow commercial flight operations to continue and are designed to minimize the impact on private pilots.
The NOTAMs discussed in this advisory may change with little or no notice. Pilots are advised to check NOTAMs frequently for possible changes prior to operations in the area. Pilots are strongly suggested to contact a Flight Service Station at 1-800-WX-BRIEF (1-800-992-7433) prior to flight to check for all current NOTAMS.
Detailed instructions and procedures will be contained in NOTAM when published.
RNC Temporary Flight Restrictions
Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) areas are part of the RNC airspace security measures with special sets of restrictions. The three TFRs will be located as follows:
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The Minneapolis RNC 3 NMR Special Security Instruction TFRis locatedwithin a3 NM Radius of445638N/0930643Wor the MSP060006
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The Minneapolis RNC 10/30 NMR Special Security Instruction TFRhas an inner core and outer ring of 10/30 NMR of445638N/0930643Wor the MSP060006
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The Minneapolis RNC 10/30 NMRTFR for VIP Movementhas an inner and outer core of 10/30 NMR of445638N/0930643Wor the MSP060006
All Minneapolis RNC TFRs include the airspace from surface up to but not including FL 180 and are expected to be in place daily from September 1st through September 4th, 2008.
During this event the St. Paul Air Traffic Control Tower (STP ATCT) will be operating 24 hours. Start and end times will be published in the TFRs.
The following are in effect for all the Minneapolis RNC TFRs:
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All emergency/life saving flight (medical/law enforcement/firefighting) operations must coordinate in advance with the USSS to avoid potential delays. Contact information will be published in the NOTAM.
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All helicopters/fixed wing aircraft operating within all TFR airspace must be on an active IFR or VFR Flight plan with a discrete code assigned by ATC. Aircraft must be squawking the discrete code prior to departure and at all times while in the TFR. In the event of a transponder failure, immediately advise ATC and request control instructions and comply with all instructions from ATC. If unable to contact ATC, pilots must exit the TFR by the most direct lateral route. Aircraft are NOT AUTHORIZED to overfly the inner core restricted airspace while attempting to exit.
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Two-way communications must be maintained with ATC at all times while airborne.
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Any person operating an aircraft outsidetherestricted airspace if aware of an inability to comply with the requirement to continuously transmit the ATC assigned Transponder code shall not enter the TFR airspace.
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For operations in the 3NM TFR and the 10NM inner core aircraft must apply for a gateway waiver at least 72 hours prior to the planned flight. See NOTAM when published for procedures.
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Within the TFRs, flight training, practice instrument approaches, aerobatic flight, glider operations, parachute operations, ultralight, hang gliding, lighter than air operations, balloon operations, agriculture/crop dusting, animal population control flight operations, banner towing operations, utility line/pipeline inspection flights, part 101 operations, model aircraft operations, model rocketry, unmanned aerial systems, and commercial cargo carrier operations that fail to comply with their TSA approved security program ARE NOT AUTHORIZED.
Gateway Airports
Gateway airports are being established during the Republican National Convention to accommodate aircraft arriving into Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (KMSP) and St. Paul Downtown-Holman Airport (KSTP). Aircraft must register for gateway access at least 72 hours prior to the planned flight. The detailed procedures and hours that TSA screening will be available at Gateway airports will be published in the NOTAMs.
Gateway Airports for inbound GA aircraft during the TFRs are established at Rochester International Airport (KRST) located 7 miles southwest of Rochester, Minnesota; Chippewa Valley Regional Airport (KEAU) located 3 miles N of Eau Claire, Wisconsin; and St. Cloud Regional Airport (KSTC) located 4 miles east of St. Cloud, Minnesota.
Special ATC procedures and routes to and from these airports may be assigned prior to departure from a gateway airport. Upon departing the gateway airport, all aircraft must maintain radio contact with ATC and continuously squawk an ATC-assigned discrete transponder code. Intermediate stops are not authorized unless an emergency exists.
The TFRs___________________________________________________________
Minneapolis
3 NMR Special Security Instruction TFR (99.7):
Access will be permitted as follows:
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Law enforcement, military aircraft, emergency/life saving flight (medical/law enforcement/firefighting) in direct contact with ATC and are squawking an assigned beacon code.
·
Regularly scheduled commercial passenger and all-cargo carriers operating under one of the following TSA-approved standard security programs: Aircraft Operator Standard Security Program (AOSSP), Full-All Cargo Aircraft Operator Standard Security Program (FACAOSSP), Model Security Program (MSP), Twelve Five Standard Security Program (TFSSP) All Cargo Only, or All-Cargo International Security Procedure (ACISP) and are arriving into and/or departing from 49 CFR Part 1542 covered airports. Operators are advised that other programs may be added to the list of approved TSA security programs for entry into this TFR by the published NOTAM.
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All other aircraft not operating under on the TSA-approved standard security programs listed above and arriving KSTP must be security screened at a designated gateway airport. Aircraft departing KSTP must be security screened by TSA at KSTP. Aircraft must register for gateway access at least 72 hours prior to the planned flight.
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Waivers beginning with ELO, GOV and SPO.
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Other aircraft operations deemed appropriate by the United States Secret Service (USSS) will be permitted.
·
Be advised that noncompliance with the published NOTAM may result in the use of force.
For the 3NMR (99.7) TFR Pilots MUST:
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Aircraft must register for gateway access at least 72 hours prior to the planned flight.
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All helicopters/fixed wing aircraft intending to land at KSTP must first land at one of the established “Gateway” airports.
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At the gateway airport, it can be expected that TSA personnel will search each aircraft and screen each passenger.
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Helicopters/fixed wing aircraft departing from KSTP, can expect to have their occupants screened at STP.
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Once the screening is completed, the helicopter/fixed wing aircraft will be permitted to depart and will be assigned a predetermined route and discrete beacon code
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Helicopters/fixed wing aircraft departing the gateway airport will not be permitted to make interim stops prior to landing at Holman (STP).
Minneapolis
10/30 NMR Special Security Instruction TFR (99.7)
INNER CORE
:
WITHIN A 10 NMR Access to the FRZ (Flight Restricted Zone) will be permitted as follows:
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Law enforcement, military aircraft, emergency/life saving flight (medical/law enforcement/firefighting) in direct contact with ATC and are squawking an assigned beacon code.
·
Regularly scheduled commercial passenger and all-cargo carriers operating under one of the following TSA-approved standard security programs: Aircraft Operator Standard Security Program (AOSSP), Full-All Cargo Aircraft Operator Standard Security Program (FACAOSSP), Model Security Program (MSP), Twelve Five Standard Security Program (TFSSP) All Cargo Only, or All-Cargo International Security Procedure (ACISP) and are arriving into and/or departing from 49 CFR Part 1542 covered airports. Operators are advised that other programs may be added to the list of approved TSA security programs for entry into this TFR by the published NOTAM.
·
All other aircraft not operating under TSA-approved standard security programs listed above and arriving KMSP and KSTP must be security screened at a designated gateway airport. Aircraft departing KMSP and KSTP must be security screened by TSA at KMSP and KSTP respectively. Aircraft must register for gateway access at least 72 hours prior to the planned flight.
·
Waivers beginning with ELO, GOV and SPO.
·
Other aircraft operations deemed appropriate by the United States Secret Service (USSS) will be permitted.
·
Be advised that noncompliance with the published NOTAM may result in the use of force.
OUTER RING:
From 10 TO 30 NMR Access to the outer ring will be permitted as follows:
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All aircraft entering or exiting the outer ring designated as theMinneapolis 10 TO 30 NMR FRZ must remain in two-way radio communications with ATC, be on an active IFR or VFR flight plan with a discrete beacon code assigned by ATC. Aircraft must be squawking the discrete at all times while in the TFR.
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Operations are limited to aircraft arriving or departing local airports, ATC may authorize transit operations with USSS approval. Aircraft may not loiter.
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No VFR General Aviation over flights will be authorized.
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Be advised that noncompliance with the published NOTAM may result in the use of force.
Minneapolis
10/30 NMR VIP TFR (91.141)
INNER CORE:
WITHIN A 10 NMR Access to the FRZ will be permitted as follows:
·
Law enforcement, military aircraft, emergency/life saving flight (medical/law enforcement/firefighting) in direct contact with ATC and are squawking an assigned beacon code.
·
Waivers beginning with ELO, GOV and SPO.
·
Regularly scheduled commercial passenger and all-cargo carriers operating under one of the following TSA-approved standard security programs: Aircraft Operator Standard Security Program (AOSSP), Full-All Cargo Aircraft Operator Standard Security Program (FACAOSSP), Model Security Program (MSP), Twelve Five Standard Security Program (TFSSP) All Cargo Only, or All-Cargo International Security Procedure (ACISP) and are arriving into and/or departing from 49 CFR Part 1542 covered airports. Operators are advised that other programs may be added to the list of approved TSA security programs for entry into this TFR by the published NOTAM.
·
All other aircraft not operating under TSA-approved standard security programs listed above and arriving KMSP and KSTP must be security screened at a designated gateway airport. Aircraft departing KMSP and KSTP must be security screened by TSA at KMSP and KSTP respectively. Aircraft must register for gateway access at least 72 hours prior to the planned flight.
·
Other aircraft operations deemed appropriate by the United States Secret Service (USSS) will be permitted.
·
Be advised that noncompliance with the published NOTAM may result in the use of force.
OUTER RING:
From 10 TO 30 NMR Access to the outer ring will be permitted as follows:
·
All aircraft entering or exiting the outer ring designated as theMinneapolis 10 TO 30 NMR TFR must remain in two-way radio communications with ATC, be on an active IFR or VFR flight plan with a discrete beacon code assigned by ATC. Aircraft must be squawking the discrete at all times while in the TFR. Operations are limited to aircraft arriving or departing local airports, ATC may authorize transit operations with USSS approval. Aircraft may not loiter.
·
No VFR general aviation over flights will be authorized.
·
Be advised that noncompliance with the published NOTAM may result in the use of force.
The FAA point of contact for the RNC is Rick Hostetler at 202-267-9195.
It is recommended that all aircraft operators check NOTAMs frequently throughout this event for possible changes
