Fast Facts Supplement
September 20, 2001

ICAS OFFERS SUGGESTION ON MOVING AIR SHOW
AIRCRAFT OUT OF ENHANCED CLASS B AIRSPACE

Though limited VFR flight was restored in the United States on the evening of Wednesday, September 19, many air show pilots have been stranded within the newly designated "enhanced" Class B airspace. Because most air show aircraft are not equipped for IFR flight and all VFR flight has been prohibited within enhanced Class B airspace, pilots whose aircraft are currently located in enhanced Class B airspace have been unable to leave the ground.

But there is an option: an IFR flight of two. Though only IFR-capable aircraft can submit IFR flight plans to fly in and leave Class B airspace, it is possible for the pilot of that IFR-equipped aircraft to submit a flight plan for an IFR flight of two. The FAA confirmed this afternoon that air show pilots may fly their aerobatic, non-IFR-capable aircraft as one part of an IFR flight of two. The lead aircraft must be an IFR certified aircraft with an IFR-rated pilot at the controls. The pilot flying the air show aircraft must also be IFR-rated, though he is flying a non-IFR-certified aircraft. The two-ship flight may only fly under VMC conditions.

The lead pilot should file a flight plan for an IFR flight of two that follows standard ATC procedures for an IFR flight of two. The flight of two can proceed directly to an airport outside of the enhanced Class B airspace. The two aircraft could then either continue on as a flight of two or separate with the non-IFR-certified aircraft proceeding to the show site.

LATE THURSDAY: FAA ISSUES PROBLEMATIC NOTAM; ICAS ASKS FOR CLARIFICATION, EXEMPTION

Late Thursday afternoon, the FAA issued a NOTAM that appears to have the unintended effect of banning air shows within the United States.

Here's the text of the NOTAM: "FDC 1/0257 FDC FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS: Effective immediatley until further notice. Pursuant to 14 CFR Section 91.137A(1) Temporary Flight Restrictions. For reasons of national security, all aircraft operations are prohibited within a three nautical mile radius/3,000 feet AGL and below over a major professional or collegiate sporting event or any other major open air assembly of people. Unless authorized by ATC for purposes of conducting arrival/departure operations."

Though the NOTAM is clearly intended to protect the audiences and spectators at large non-aviation events, taken literally, the temporary flight restrictions within three miles and 3,000 feet AGL of large assemblies of people unless landing or taking off seem to suggest that air shows cannot be held.

ICAS has asked the FAA for clarification of the NOTAM and expects to have that clarification sometime Friday morning.

AMIGO AIRSHO AND ICAS ACADEMY STILL ON

The Amigo AirSho in El Paso, Texas -- scheduled for October 13-14 -- confirmed today that it is their intention to proceed with their show. ICAS is also still planning to hold its annual ICAS Academy in conjunction with the Amigo AirSho. And there are still places available for ICAS members interested in participating. For details on the program, contact ICAS headquarters or visit our website at www.airshows.org. Then, give us a call and we'll save you a place.


International Council of Air Shows, Inc. 751 Miller Drive, Suite F-4 Leesburg, Virginia 20175 Phone: 703-779-8510, Fax 703-779-8511 E-mail: icas@airshows.org, Website: www.airshows.org