The mother of all temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) is coming next weekend, and it’s not just because of Super Bowl 50. Word has it that right after the big event, President Obama is headed to the San Francisco area for more Democrat fundraising, and of course this means further disruptions of the airspace that is vital to general aviation operations.
When I was discussing this recently with a local FBO, the oft-cited but still-valid point came up: TFRs are designed to keep out general aviation aircraft but permit airlines to continue operating, and airline aircraft were the unfortunate victims and tools used in the 9/11 attacks. So why the focus on GA operations in so many TFRs?
Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.
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