Stadium TFR's

I occasionally fly traffic watch in socal, and I needed to find a way to avoid the restrictions. As far as the dodger and angel games, I just went to the dodger and angel websites and added their schedule to my iphone calendar. That and check the tfr website as listed earlier.
 
http://maps.avnwx.com/

I have been using this site for a while as an unofficial wx supplement and think they recently started showing graphical representation of stadium TFRs, something I too had previously been looking for. Showed the A's and Giants games the past couple days here in the bay area. Gives the scheduled times so watch out for extra innings.
Hope it helps.
 
I used to banner tow over lots of games and we always left at the last possible moment before the TFR began. I always got my times from the team's website - figured the FAA can't have a problem with that. Three miles is pretty close and honestly you should probably be able to tell if a stadium is in your flight path and full of people just with your eyeballs. Unless the president is there then you don't have to worry about fighter jets circling the stadium waiting to intercept you. I think you would have to do something pretty stupid, probably close enough for your tail numbers to be read, to even catch the interest of the FAA. If you aren't loitering in the area then I wouldn't think you could get anyone too nervous.
 
Codyjp said:
Does anybody know of a cercumstance when the FAA actually took action against a pilot for a stadium TFR?
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Yes. The guy in NorCal I was gonna buy his banner biz from. Back when the mouse got their PFR he towed a banner over Disney in CA. Disney took action, got the FAA involved and they tried to revoke the pilot's certs. After a short legal battle he discovered (as he had thought) that Disney was behind the whole thing. He threatened legal action against the FAA and they dropped the whole thing.

We all know the stadium TFRs are about media rights. The team owners want that locked up tight. The banner tow outfits simply went to larger letters and billboards.

With Disney it is about controlling the message. The guy I mentioned towed a religious themed banner on Disney's gay day. Disney had a cow.

Anyone flying at or below 3,000 agl (TFR ceiling) should be familiar with terrain and obstacles anyway. I just steer away from stadiums as a general rule.

I've been vectored through Disney's many times. Like a secret handshake between ATC and pilots...sticking it to the mouse.

EDIT: I see you specifically mentioned stadiums. I mentioned Disney. Sorry for the confusion.
 
I was in Orlando's B one day and a pilot was VFR and vectored over Disney and he got nervous and told ATC he was about to fly over top. They told him as long as he is in contact with them and since they told him what to do its fine and he's good to go.

At least thats on tape for when the man comes knocking! hehe
 
RICHARD5 said:
I've been vectored through Disney's many times. Like a secret handshake between ATC and pilots...sticking it to the mouse.
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Me too. Made me nervous the first few times, but seems totally clear (clear as mud at least) according to the verbiage in TFR. I love sticking it to the mouse!! Little vermin bastard....
 
Phantom017 said:
I was in Orlando's B one day and a pilot was VFR and vectored over Disney and he got nervous and told ATC he was about to fly over top. They told him as long as he is in contact with them and since they told him what to do its fine and he's good to go.

At least thats on tape for when the man comes knocking! hehe
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It all depends on the type of TFR and who the controlling agency is. Reading the Disney TFR, it appears ATC can vector someone through it for "operational" purposes, which opens the door for just about any valid ATC purpose.
 
RICHARD5 said:
Yes. And the other part of his operation was CCR. With a 3rd plane at DVO.
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I considered buying that business...he was a lunatic who was going to tell me what I could not advertise as part of the sale because of his religion, I just walked away from that deal.


I flew that plane with him over the north bay at near stall speed turning cross controlled, because that's what kept the words level over the crowd. It didn't really bother me, but that was his litmus test.
 
If you really want to get this changed, post comments with the FAA.

Go here and click "comment now" at the upper right hand.

http://www.regulations.gov/#!documen...2013-0784-0001


Also, there is a big difference between "in contact with" ATC and "authorized by" ATC. If you are receiving flight following, you may be "in contact with" ATC, but unless they've given you vectors or specified that you can ignore the TFR, you haven't been "authorized by" ATC to bust the TFR.
 
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