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Airspace Waivers

General Aviation

Overview

The General Aviation Division’s Airspace Waivers Branch manages the process and assists with the review of general aviation aircraft operators who request to enter areas of restricted airspace. Pilots should read all applicable Notice to Airmen (NOTAMS) and/or contact their local Flight Standards Station (FSS) prior to flight operations. It is the pilot’s responsibility to ensure that he or she has obtained the proper authorization from the TSA and Federal Aviation Administration prior to starting flight operations. For each waiver applicant, to support the vetting requirements, the last name, first name, social security number, date of birth and place of birth, passport number and passport country are collected. For applications for aircraft operating into, out of, within or overflying the United States, the waiver review process includes an evaluation of the aircraft, crew, passengers, and purpose of flight. Our office then adjudicates the application and provides a recommendation of approval or denial to the FAA Office of Air Traffic Services.

ALL WAIVERS REQUIRE 5 BUSINESS DAYS FOR PROCESSING

The responsibility for managing the waiver process is shared by the FAA and TSA. The FAA asserts the safety provisions of the process while TSA manages the security portion of the process. These agencies work together to ensure the security of aircraft conducting operations within restricted areas. These areas are in place to mitigate the threat of an airborne attack against key assets and critical infrastructure on the ground. Pilots must possess a copy of the waiver when filing a flight plan and during flight operations.

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Obtaining a Waiver

• Waiver request forms can be obtained through the FAA/TSA Airspace Access Program https://waiver.c3.faa.gov/. It is recommended that the USER GUIDE, for the FAA/TSA Airspace Access Program be printed and used as a reference.
• Special Events
• Washington, DC Air Defense Identification and Flight Restricted Zones
• Disney Theme Parks
• Major Sporting Events
• International Waivers

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Submitting an Airspace Waiver Application

• Applicants must submit a completed TSA waiver request form online via: https://waiver.c3.faa.gov
• Waiver applications should be submitted no later than five (5) business days in advance of the flight.
• The start and end dates of flight must be indicated on the electronic waiver form.
• A flight itinerary must be provided for all Fleet, Single Trip and No Transponder waivers.

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Types of Waivers

Special Events
Special Event Waivers permit authorized flight operations within the Temporary Flight Restricted (TFR), airspace established for special events. Examples of special events might include Democratic National Convention, Republican National Convention, State of the Union Address, Super Bowl, and more.

Washington, D.C., Air Defense Identification and Flight Restricted Zones
The Air Defense Identification Zone mirrors the footprint of the Baltimore Washington Class B airspace and consists of the airspace within approximately 42 nautical miles of Reagan National Airport. Flight operations within the Flight Restricted Zone (FRZ) are required to have an approved airspace waiver or operating under an approved TSA Standard Security Program. Read more.

Disney Theme Parks
Disney Theme Park waivers permit flight operations within the TFRs areas established for Disneyland and Disney World Theme Parks. Read more.

Major Sporting Events
Sporting Event Waivers permit flight operations within the TFRs established for National Football League, Major League Baseball, NCAA Division I Football, Sprint Cup Series main events, Champ Series Races and INDY Racing League main events occurring in stadiums with a seating capacity of 30,000 or more. Read more.

International Waivers
International Waivers authorize aircraft operators to operate to/from, within and over the airspace of the United States and its territorial possessions. No Transponder Waivers authorize Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations to/from and within the airspace of the United States without an operating encoding transponder. Read more.

Application
Apply for any type of airspace waiver online through the FAA/TSA Airspace Access Program. First-time users will need to register as a new user. Include, Airspace Access Program (AAP), web link: https://waiver.c3.faa.gov

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Washington, DC Air Defense Identification and Flight Restricted Zones

Applicable Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs)

• NOTAM information is available at www.faa.gov.

General Information
The Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) mirrors the footprint of the Baltimore Washington Class B airspace and consists of the airspace within approximately 42 nautical miles (NM) of Reagan National Airport (DCA). The Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA) is located within the ADIZ and is defined as the airspace within approximately a 15NM radius of the KDCA VHF omni-directional range/distance measuring equipment (VOR/DME).

The National Capitol Region (NCR) is defined within airspace within a 7NM radius of the KDCA VOR/DME. Additional requirements are levied upon operators requesting access to operate inside the National Capitol Region (NCR).

GA pilots requesting permission to fly aircraft into the SFRA, including operations to or from DCA, Andrews Air Force Base, and Davison Army Air Field, must submit an online Waiver Request Application. In some instances, the application must be accompanied by a letter or contract stipulating the purpose and scope of the work to be completed. The letter must be attached to the electronic application The Airspace Waivers Branch verifies that all information in the application letter meets the criteria for operating within the FRZ during the current Homeland Security Alert System (HSAS) threat level.

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Disney Theme Parks

Applicable Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs)

• NOTAM information is available at www.faa.gov.

Disney Theme Park waivers permit flight operations within the Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR) areas established for Disneyland and Disney World Theme Parks

The types of operations authorized are currently restricted by law, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2004 (Section 521 of Public Law 108-199) to (a) operational purposes of an event, stadium, or other venue, including the transport of equipment or parts, team members, officials of the governing body, the immediate family members and guests of such teams and officials to and from the event, stadium, or other venue; (b) broadcast coverage for any broadcast rights holder; and (c) safety and security purposes of the event, stadium, or other venue. These waivers grant access only to the specific event TFR and to no other areas of restricted airspace.

Processing the Waiver Request Form

Disney Theme Park applicants must provide to the Airspace Waivers Branch a letter of verification from the relevant Disney Theme Park verifying that the operation is for an operational function of the venue. The letter must identify the pilot’s business name as stated on the application, the pilot name and aircraft registration number along with the venue location, and event name and date. The letter must be attached to the electronic application. Additional Information

• Breaux Amendment - Section 352 of Public Law 108-7, 2003 Omnibus Appropriations Spending Bill.
• FAA Reauthorization Act - Section 521 of Public Law 108-199, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2004.
• Event Sponsor – Disneyland Theme Park or Disney World Theme Park.

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Major Sporting Events

Applicable Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs)

• NOTAM information is available at www.faa.gov.

Sporting Event Waivers permit flight operations within the Temporary Flight Restricted (TFR) areas established for National Football League, Major League Baseball, NCAA Division I Football, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series main events, Champ Series and INDY Racing League main events occurring in stadiums with a seating capacity of 30,000 or more.

The types of operations authorized are currently restricted by law, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2004 (Section 521 of Public Law 108-199) to (a) operational purposes of an event, stadium, or other venue, including the transport of equipment or parts, team members, officials of the governing body, the immediate family members and guests of such teams and officials to and from the event, stadium, or other venue; (b) broadcast coverage for any broadcast rights holder; and (c) safety and security purposes of the event, stadium, or other venue. These waivers grant access only to the specific event TFR and to no other areas of restricted airspace.

Processing the Waiver Request Form

Applicants must provide to the Airspace Waivers Branch a letter of verification with a point of contact from the event sponsor (team), venue (stadium or raceway) or national broadcast rights holder (CBS, FOX etc), verifying the contractual obligation of the aircraft operator as required as an operational function of the event or venue. The letter must identify the pilot’s business name as stated on the application, the pilot name and aircraft registration number along with the venue location, and event name and date. The letter must be attached to the electronic application to verify the contractual obligation in compliance with the Section 521 Public Law 108-199. All pilots and crewmembers must be listed as part of the manifest on the application.

Sporting Events Waivers are event-specific. Each approved waiver will specify the name, dates and location of the specific sporting event(s) over which the pilot will be authorized to fly.

Additional Information

FedEx Field (Washington Redskins) and RFK Stadium (Washington Nationals/DC United) General Aviation flights are NOT PERMITTED in the vicinity of these stadiums due to the restrictions as stipulated in NOTAM 9/5151.

• Breaux Amendment - Section 352 of Public Law 108-7, 2003 Omnibus Appropriations Spending Bill
• FAA Reauthorization Act - Section 521 of Public Law 108-199, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2004
• Event Sponsor – National Football League team (e.g., Dallas Cowboys), Major League Baseball team (e.g., New York Yankees) major motor speedway team (e.g., NASCAR Sprint Cup– Indy Racing League), NCAA Division I Football team (e.g., University of Florida), or Special Event Sponsor.

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International Waivers

Applicable Notices to Airmen

• NOTAM information is available at www.faa.gov.

Aircraft operators requesting a waiver to the current published NOTAM must submit the TSA waiver application to TSA Office of Special Operations, Airspace Waivers Branch via the FAA/TSA Airspace Access Program. Operators include the following:

• Business Aviation
• U.S. Privately Owned and/or Chartered
• Foreign Civilian Aircraft (non-U.S. registered)
• Cargo Operations not covered by existing TSA-approved security programs

Types of International Waivers

Single Trip Waivers - International Single Trip Waivers authorize aircraft operators to operate to, from, over and within the airspace of the United States and its territorial possessions. This waiver may be granted to individual pilots, companies and/or organizations applying for single day or multiple day flights involving one or more aircraft. Owner of aircraft is required. All persons who may be onboard during waiver period MUST be included in the original request. These waivers can be issued for a maximum ninety (90) days.

Fleet Waivers - An international fleet waiver authorizes aircraft operators to operate to/from, within, and over the airspace of the United States and its territorial possessions. Waivers may be granted to individual pilots, companies and/or organizations applying for a single day trip or multiple day trip flights that involve two or more aircraft. Owner of aircraft is required. All persons who may be onboard during waiver period MUST be included on original request. A Fleet Waiver will be issued for a maximum ninety (90) days.

No Transponder Waivers - "No Transponder" waivers authorize Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations to/from and within the airspace of the United States without an operating encoding transponder. Owner of aircraft is required. All persons who may be onboard during waiver period MUST be included on original request. "No Transponder" waivers are issued for up to ninety (90) days under the following conditions:

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