FAA issues flight restrictions for political conventions

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) in the Denver area during the Democratic Convention from August 25-28, and in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area for the Republican Convention from September 1-4. Before and during each convention, a number of leaders will arrive in the respective areas, thus, each 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.

The FAA has classified the airspace in the areas of the national political conventions as "National Defense Airspace", and is issuing Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) with rules and restrictions in regard to flying in that airspace.

Here are the links to the relevant TFRs and NOTAMs for each area:

Democratic National Convention, Denver, Colorado, August 25-28, 2008

• Flight Advisory - 6-page 'pdf' file
• NOTAM FDC 8/1190

Republican National Convention, Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Minnesota, September 1-4, 2008

• Flight Advisory - 8-page 'pdf' file
• NOTAM FDC 8/1542

The FAA notes, "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."