What happens when the President comes to town.

[EyeStation]

A FAA NOTAM/TFR has been issued for the greater Chicago, IL metropolitan area for today, Wednesday 4/2, from 3:30p until 9:00p CDT. The TFR is issued for security purposes to cover VIP movement in this area. Outdoor radio control model aircraft operations are prohibited within the 30nm circle for the specific times listed below. Control Line and Free Flight modelers should use discretion when operating within the TFR. Please note that TFRs are subject to change with very short notice. Check back often for the most current NOTAM/TFR information.

Timely alerts are also available on the web at: www.modelaircraft.org/membership/clubs/notams.aspx or on your cell phone at: Twitter.com/amagov.

See the link to the TFR below for more detailed information regarding the restrictions:

Map View of the Affected Area

View the TFR in Google Earth
(Open the KML file or download and open in Google Earth)

Area 1 (4/2, 3:30p – 9:00p CDT)
(30nm radius from Latitude: 41º55'46"N, Longitude: 87º44'16"W)
Area 2 (4/2, 3:30p – 4:30p CDT)
(10nm radius from Latitude: 41º58'46"N, Longitude: 87º54'21"W)
Area 3 (4/2, 4:00p – 8:30p CDT)
(10nm radius from Latitude: 41º54'28"N, Longitude: 87º38'49"W)
Area 4 (4/2, 7:45p – 9:00p CDT)
(10nm radius from Latitude: 41º58'46"N, Longitude: 87º54'21"W)

The following clubs have been identified as being affected by these restrictions. Please check the specific location of your flying site to determine if it falls within the boundary of the TFR.

Club Charter No:

1289, 864, 640, 279, 247, 2558, 263, 1149, 261, 397, 274, 277, 3772, 4500, 616, 723

TFR - 4/1414

Regards

Government Relations Support Team

 

[pvolcko]

I really don't understand why they do this. Within a mile or two, sure that makes some sense. But 10 miles? 30 miles? Anyone doing it as a hobby is no threat and not likely over 400ft. Anyone flying for nefarious purposes isn't going to pay any attention to the restrictions anyway.

I'll admit it: If I was going to fly, I still fly in my backyard when these come up. I don't go out of my way to fly when they come up, but I don't change my plans to fly either. Except that I will, out of courtesy to the clubs, stay off the club fields. In my backyard I'm almost never over 100ft and never beyond my property or my neighbor's property. If it's really a problem, they can come ask me to land.