News and Updates – Super Bowl LIII Flight Requirements for GA Pilots

General Aviation pilots who want to fly around Atlanta between Jan. 29 and Feb. 5, 2019, will want to check out the FAAs Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) for air traffic procedures for the area. Super Bowl LIII is Sunday, Feb. 3, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Game time will be at 6:30 p.m. EST. The FAA has published a webpage with information for Atlanta-area airspace and airports. The Agency will update the webpage as additional information becomes available.

As a designated National Security Special Event, additional unmanned aircraft restrictions will be in place before, during and after the Super Bowl. Learn more here: Super Bowl LIII is a No Drone Zone.

A reservation program to facilitate ground services at the following participating Atlanta metropolitan airports will be in effect from January 29 through February 5. Pilots should contact the Fixed Base Operator (FBO) at their destination to obtain reservations and additional information.

  • Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
  • DeKalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK)
  • Fulton County Airport-Brown Field (FTY)
  • Cobb County International Airport-McCollum Field (RYY)
  • Gwinnett County Airport-Briscoe Field (LZU)
  • Newnan Coweta County Airport (CCO)
  • Paulding Northwest Atlanta Airport (PUJ
  • Atlanta Regional Airport-Falcon Field (FFC)
  • Henry County Airport (HMP)
  • Griffin-Spalding County Airport (6A2)
  • Covington Municipal Airport (CVC)
  • Cartersville Airport (VPC)
  • West Georgia Regional Airport-O V Gray Field (CTJ)
  • Cherokee County Regional Airport (CNI)
  • Athens-Ben Epps Airport (AHN)
  • Barrow County Airport (WDR)
  • Lee Gilmer Memorial Airport (GVL)
  • Jackson County Airport (JCA)
  • Thomaston-Upson County Airport (OPN)
  • Lagrange-Callaway Airport (LGC)
  • Harris County Airport (PIM)
  • Columbus Airport (CSG)
  • Auburn University Regional Airport (AUO)
  • Polk County Airport Cornelius Moore Field (4A4)

Special air traffic procedures to minimize air traffic delays and enhance safety will be in effect for the following airports:

  • Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
  • DeKalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK)
  • Fulton County Airport-Brown Field (FTY)
  • Cobb County International Airport-McCollum Field (RYY)
  • Gwinnett County Airport-Briscoe Field (LZU)
  • Newnan Coweta County Airport (CCO)
  • Paulding Northwest Atlanta Airport (PUJ)
  • Atlanta Regional Airport-Falcon Field (FFC)
  • Henry County Airport (HMP)
  • Griffin-Spalding County Airport (6A2)
  • Covington Municipal Airport (CVC)

Arrival and Departure Route Requirements: Jan. 29 12 p.m. (1700z) through Feb. 5 12 p.m. (1700z)

The NOTAM includes specific arrival and departure route requirements for jet and turboprop aircraft.

FAA ATC Air Traffic Management Initiatives

Air traffic management initiatives may be implemented may include:

  • Ground Delay Programs (GDP)
  • Airspace Flow Programs (AFP)
  • Time Based Metering
  • Miles in Trail
  • Airborne Holding
  • Ground Stops

Special Event TFR for Super Bowl Sunday February 3, 2019

The FAA will publish a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) for Super Bowl LIII centered on Mercedes-Benz Stadium. At this time, we expect the TFR will be active from 4 p.m. EST (2100z) until 11:59 p.m. EST (0459z) on Sunday, February 3. The TFR will have a 10-nautical- mile inner core and a 30-nautical-mile outer ring.

The TFR will not affect regularly scheduled commercial flights flying in and out of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). Emergency medical, public safety and military aircraft may enter the TFR in coordination with air traffic control.

The FAA will post the full text and graphic depiction of the Super Bowl LIII TFR in January.

News and Updates – FAA Accepting Applications From Experienced Controllers

If you are an experienced air traffic controller who would like to join the FAAs ranks, the agency is now accepting applications nationwide beginning Dec. 3 through Dec. 9, 2018.

Following are qualifications for experienced controllers:

  • United States citizenship
  • No older than 35 years of age (with special exceptions)
  • The announcement is open to candidates who have maintained at least 52 consecutive weeks of air traffic control experience involving the full-time active separation of air traffic. The candidate must have an air traffic control certification or facility ratingwithin five yearsof application while serving at any of the following:
  • an FAA air traffic control facility
  • a civilian or military air traffic control facility of the Department of Defense
  • a tower operating under contract with the FAA under section 47124

Depending on the nature of an applicants previous experience as an air traffic controller, other qualifications may be required for employment.See the full application for employment on https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/518366000.

Applicants must be willing to work at any FAA air traffic facility, and may be required to attend specialized training at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City.

Active-duty service members will receive tentative veterans preference if they submit a document from the armed forces certifying that within 120 days they are expected to be discharged or released from active-duty service under honorable conditions and their application shows that they have the required service. They must provide to the Servicing Human Resource Management Office a DD Form 214 documenting discharge/release and showing that the service was honorable or general. Veterans on terminal leave must provide documentation certifying authorized terminal leave.

Interested applicants should visithttps://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/518366000. Also visit our FAA Jobs website for more information about air traffic controllers.

News and Updates – Follow Buzzy the Drone!

Getting a drone for the holidays? The Federal Aviation Administrations (FAA) Buzzy the Drone will help you learn the dos and don’ts of being a responsible drone operator and flying your new purchase safely.

Too many times, we at the FAA hear sad stories about what happens when inexperienced flyers take their drone out for its first flight. Sometimes a nasty tree will jump right into your flight path. All too often, the drone gets scared and flies away if you let it out of your sight. And upset neighbors may knock on your door if you fly over their backyard while theyre outside.

Buzzy, a whimsical four-rotor drone, can help you avoid being that guy or girl. Buzzy uses simple but effective rhymes to convey important safety tips, such as:

When Buzzy Goes Out for a Flight, the Number One Rule Is Keep Buzzy in Sight.

You can follow Buzzys adventures on FAA social media such as Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Buzzys messages are the latest in the FAAs continuing efforts to make sure everyone follows the rules for safe drone operations. You can find details on the Agencys extensive unmanned aircraft website.

Buzzy and all the other drones say thanks in advance for keeping them safe, sound, and above the ground!

News and Updates – Rocket Launch Today

December 3-Today, Space Exploration (SpaceX) Technologies Corp.s launch, licensed by the FAA, broke new ground in the reusability of space vehicles and contained literally a number of firsts.

It represents the largest single rideshare mission from a U.S.-based launch vehicle to date. In addition, for the first time SpaceX launched the same refurbished booster for a third time.

Dubbed Spaceflight Small Sat Express, the mission delivered 64 payloads known as cube communication satellites to low earth orbit.

The launch took place from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. This is new record-setting year for commercial space transportation with a total 29 FAA-licensed launches.

News and Updates – FAA Issues Groundstop at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport

6:15pm ET Update

The FAA has lifted the groundstop for Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport.Flight operations are resuming but at a lower-than-normal rate.Please continue to check with your airline andwww.fly.faa.govfor flight status and updates.

According to Alaska DOT, the airports upper arrival and lower departure ramps and several roads leading to the airport have been closed due to the earthquake. Before traveling to the airport, check with Alaska DOT for the latest local conditions.


3:30 pm ET Update

The FAA is now departing some aircraft from Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. However, a groundstop remains in effect for arrivals.

Please Check with your airline and the airport for more information.


The FAA has implemented a groundstop for flights into Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport as a result of this mornings earthquake.

Travelers should check with their airline for flight status. We do not yet know when flights into Anchorage will resume.