2.7 TFRs and NOTAMs

2.7 Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) and NOTAMs

Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) and Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs) are critical preflight information sources that every remote pilot must check before every flight. Violating a TFR can result in severe consequences including certificate revocation, fines, and criminal prosecution.

Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs)

TFRs are temporary airspace restrictions that prohibit or restrict flight in a defined area for a specified time period. They are issued by the FAA and communicated through the NOTAM system.

Common Reasons for TFRs:

TFR for Sporting Events (§91.145)

A common TFR type that affects drone operations:

• Applies to major sporting events with 30,000+ capacity
• 3 nautical mile radius from the venue
• Surface to 3,000 feet AGL
• Begins 1 hour before the event and ends 1 hour after
• Applies to MLB, NFL, NCAA Division I football, NASCAR, and other major events

For the Exam: The sporting event TFR is 3 NM radius, surface to 3,000 ft AGL, beginning 1 hour before and ending 1 hour after the event.

Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs)

NOTAMs communicate important temporary changes to aeronautical information that are not reflected on current charts or publications.

Types of NOTAMs relevant to UAS operations:

• TFR NOTAMs — Temporary Flight Restrictions
• FDC (Flight Data Center) NOTAMs — Regulatory changes, chart corrections
• D (Distant) NOTAMs — Information about navigational aids, airports, lighting changes
• UAS-specific NOTAMs — Information about drone operations, testing, or restrictions

How to Check NOTAMs and TFRs

Primary Sources:

1. FAA NOTAM Search (notams.aim.faa.gov) — Official FAA NOTAM system
2. TFR website (tfr.faa.gov) — Dedicated TFR information with maps
3. B4UFLY app — FAA's free app that checks TFRs and airspace for your location
4. LAANC apps — Most LAANC providers check TFRs during the authorization process
5. 1800wxbrief.com — Standard weather briefing service (also includes NOTAMs)

Reading a NOTAM

NOTAMs use a standardized format with abbreviations. Key elements:

!FDC 0/1234 ZNY NY..AIRSPACE NEW YORK, NY..
TEMPORARY FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS. EFFECTIVE
2603011400-2603012200UTC.
PURSUANT TO 14 CFR SECTION 91.141,
AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS ARE PROHIBITED WITHIN A
30NM RADIUS OF N40-46/W073-58 (JFK VOR/DME)
SFC-FL180.

Key fields:

• !FDC — FDC NOTAM (regulatory)
• 0/1234 — NOTAM number
• Effective dates — Start and end in UTC (Zulu time)
• Regulatory basis — Which CFR section applies
• Geographic description — Location and radius
• Altitude — Floor and ceiling of the restriction

Penalties for TFR Violations

Violating a TFR can result in:

• Certificate suspension or revocation
• Civil fines up to $50,000+ per violation
• Criminal prosecution (especially for security-related TFRs)
• Interception by law enforcement aircraft or security personnel

Bottom Line: There is no excuse for violating a TFR. The information is freely available and checking it takes minutes. Make NOTAM and TFR checks part of your mandatory preflight procedure for every single flight.