I received an email today from the FAA stating that there will be a 35 mile radius NO DRONE ZONE around Levi Stadium for this Sunday's Super Bowl.  I live about 90 miles from there.  Wasn't planning on attending with or without my P3.   

I am totally cool with that, would hate to have the half time show interrupted by some idiot!
Having said that, i am sure some idiot will try anyway....

Northofthe49th Posted at 2016-2-3 18:47
I am totally cool with that, would hate to have the half time show interrupted by some idiot!
Having ...

Exactly the way I feel.  However, I won't be surprised to hear that there were some arrests.

If those numbers are correct, that's no flying in 3850 square miles ... just for a football match!!

That's really, really crazy.
Whoever came up with that has no sense of proportion.
Plus .. they have no way of enforcing that for even 10% of the area.

Correction.    32 mile radius.  Still, that is a lot of miles just for a game as labroides stated.

Quote "Temporary Flight Restrictions will prohibit certain aircraft  operations, including unmanned aircraft operations, within a 32-mile radius of  the stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. on game day. The restrictions will be in  effect from 2 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 7."

How did you end up on the mailing list, is your drone registered?

Goldchucker Posted at 2016-2-4 14:50
Correction.    32 mile radius.  Still, that is a lot of miles just for a game as labroides stated.

...

That's much better ... only 3200 sq miles.
So if you live 30 miles away, the FAA thinks you shouldn't be able to fly in the local park or your backyard because a few guys are having a game of football - 30 miles away!!!

labroides@yahoo Posted at 2016-2-3 20:40
That's much better ... only 3200 sq miles.
So if you live 30 miles away, the FAA thinks you should ...

LOL.  That's about the size of it.   I can only imagine how tight the security is going to be anywhere near Levi's Stadium.

SVTRay Posted at 2016-2-3 20:19
How did you end up on the mailing list, is your drone registered?

Yes it is and I have no problem with that.  

That's ridiculous... 32 mile radius? That's exactly why  government agencies get a bad rap and lose support.
Where did the FAA come up with that number? If 5 miles will suffice for an airport why won't that same number work for a football stadium?  Abuses of power like that is exactly the reason why so many folks begin to disregard the law.  It becomes comical

labroides@yahoo Posted at 2016-2-3 19:40
That's much better ... only 3200 sq miles.
So if you live 30 miles away, the FAA thinks you should ...

32 miles at 150 mph (remember, it's not just about you) is 10 minutes of flight time.  A perfectly reasonable time frame to warn off a real aircraft.

oh that's good that they notify pilots before

WetDog Posted at 2016-2-3 21:02
32 miles at 150 mph (remember, it's not just about you) is 10 minutes of flight time.  A perfectly ...

I didn't realize it was a NFZ for all aircraft my apologies... I only read the post that stated it was a no drone zone.   

if it were only about drones I fail to realize why any special rules would be needed other then those that where already in place... after all NOTAM's  have to be filed, and if you're operating around people or anything else out of the Blanket COA you already have....  you will need a special COA to cover that.

as for as hobby uses a standard 5 mile should work.

but now that you have informed me this applies to all aircraft, planes helicopters and good year blimps ..... thats all cleared up

Thanks

This is the entirety of the email I received.  I assume I'm not the only one to receive this email.     I apoligize in advance if this post is deemed inapproiate.
Chuck

"News & Update


You are subscribed to News & Updates from the FAA Homepage. This information has recently been updated, and is now available.

New FAA video explains that the Super Bowl is a No Drone Zone
The Federal Aviation Administration is launching a new public service announcement to let people know the airspace around Levi’s Stadium is a No Drone Zone during the Super Bowl.



Temporary Flight Restrictions will prohibit certain aircraft operations, including unmanned aircraft operations, within a 32-mile radius of the stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. on game day. The restrictions will be in effect from 2 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 7.



The FAA produced a 20-second video that tells people to bring their lucky jerseys, face paint and team spirit to the game - but leave their drones at home because the stadium is a No Drone Zone. The agency is promoting the video on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and the FAA website.



“With so many drones being sold for recreational use, we want to do everything we can to get the word out that the game is a No Drone Zone,” said FAA Administrator Michael Huerta. “We’re working closely with our safety and security partners to spread this message as widely as possible.”



Watch the video on the FAA YouTube Channel: The Super Bowl is a No Drone Zone





The FAA is committed to working closely with its unmanned industry partners to educate people about how to fly safely. Two of our key initiatives are the unmanned aircraft registration requirement and the Know Before You Fly campaign."

I wonder if it's to do with crowd safety or fear of terrorism, or just because there will be TV helicopters flying about?  My guess is the latter.

Goldchucker Posted at 2016-2-3 22:50
Correction.    32 mile radius.  Still, that is a lot of miles just for a game as labroides stated.

...

Wow! I'm against the crazies, but a 64-mile diameter circle? Gadzooks!
I was originally going to take issue with the 10% comment, but I think I have to agree.

Maybe you could just ground *anything* that could fly during those time frames.

Hey - Goldchucker. Can I borrow your Phantom this Sunday? If I don't get caught we can have some spectacular video! LOL

nigelw Posted at 2016-2-3 23:41
I wonder if it's to do with crowd safety or fear of terrorism, or just because there will be TV heli ...

My guess would be "all of the above" as you mentioned.  However I think drones are the least of their worries with a concentrated group as big as this one will be.

Chuck

My thought on this is why just the Super Bowl game is this being implemented? I guess people at regular season games are not that important!

Oh wait, there will be celebreties there, got to protect them you know.

Goldchucker Posted at 2016-2-3 22:52
Yes it is and I have no problem with that.

Just curious is all, it's useful information.

My only issue is that which as been pointed out, a 5 mile radius would be more than sufficient and reasonable....not a city wide no fly zone.

Ok, out flying my P3 yesterday morning....While I was hovering at approximately 90 feet this Heli continuallly made passes over the field I was flying at. This guy was below 300 ft. or appeared to be quite low. He was so low I was able to read his "N" Number (N411DE) very clearly. Now we are required keep our craft below 400 AGL, yet this  Heli was obviously below that height.....I seareched the "N" number and this Heli is registered to the DOE (Department of Energy) showing a residence in Las Vegas....Thank you Super Bowl !!!

thumb Posted at 2016-2-4 06:27
My thought on this is why just the Super Bowl game is this being implemented? I guess people at regu ...

Because Black Sunday.

Same reason people are afraid of sharks (see "Jaws") even though you're 30x more likely to be killed by a dog or a collapsing sand hole.

And, to be fair, this is one of those cases where two wrongs make a right.  If people are more afraid that terrorists will strike the Super Bowl than a regular season game, they're probably right -- because terrorists are at least as sentimental as anybody else.  The World Trade Centers weren't the most valuable target to hit in 2001, but they had huge symbolic value.  Similarly, the Super Bowl is an American symbol... which is why Black Sunday made sense, and why the Super Bowl remains a far more attractive target than a regular season game (even though almost as many people are vulnerable at a regular season game).

Most all public sporting events including NASCAR etc, are no fly zones and im sure that includes Quadcopters, RC planes..etc.    I dont mind that im on an email list for things like that in my area. I wouldnt fly directly over them anyways. Now, stay away 32 miles from it is a bit crazy for what I  fly, however as someone already pointed out.. something flying at 150mph can get close really quick.. then again, someone wanting to do harm wont obey that anyways. I guess its to keep the honest people honest.

If someone wanted to break that rule, for any reason, then they could easily take off within a few hundred feet of the stadium and soon be higher than most people could see with the naked eye. So what an utterly pointless restriction.  How is someone flying in a city over 30 miles away a threat?   Someone should legally challenge it....

labroides@yahoo Posted at 2016-2-3 20:40
That's much better ... only 3200 sq miles.
So if you live 30 miles away, the FAA thinks you should ...

3200 Square miles.  For perspective,  the U.S. is 3000 linear miles coast to coast.  Ridiculous.

On another note,  right outside the stadium may be a good place to sell t-shirts that say
" Love me,  Love my Drone "

or

"NO to Drone?  
I'm going home"

Northofthe49th Posted at 2016-2-3 20:47
I am totally cool with that, would hate to have the half time show interrupted by some idiot!
Having ...

Frankly, it would be the only interesting thing about the entire event.

wellsi Posted at 2016-2-5 02:09
If someone wanted to break that rule, for any reason, then they could easily take off within a few  ...

"How is someone flying in a city over 30 miles away a threat?   Someone should legally challenge it...."

Obviously they aren't threatening anything but this goes way further than our flying toys.
Here's the NOTAM with full details of what's restricted.
http://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_6_6446.html

It's a huge imposition on all aerial activity within the 3200 sq. miles excepting for scheduled passenger and freight services, military/law enforcement and emergency flights - just because of a football game - and the shutdown lasts for 10 hours!.

THE FOLLOWING OPERATIONS ARE NOT AUTHORIZED WITHIN THIS TFR: UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS (UAS), MODEL AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS, MODEL ROCKETRY, FLIGHT TRAINING, PRACTICE INSTRUMENT APPROACHES, AEROBATIC FLIGHT, GLIDER OPERATIONS, SEAPLANE OPERATIONS, PARACHUTE OPERATIONS, ULTRALIGHT, HANG GLIDING, BALLOON OPERATIONS, AGRICULTURE/CROP DUSTING, ANIMAL POPULATION CONTROL FLIGHT OPERATIONS, BANNER TOWING OPERATIONS, SIGHTSEEING OPERATIONS, MAINTENANCE TEST FLIGHTS, AND UTILITY AND PIPELINE SURVEY OPERATIONS.

labroides@yahoo Posted at 2016-2-5 02:54
"How is someone flying in a city over 30 miles away a threat?   Someone should legally challenge it ...

this is totally standard procedure in aviation. As someone already said, at 150MPH for a small airplane this is only 10 minutes to warn, escort and, if needed, shoot an attacker out of the air.

I can imagine that they do this like this at this moment. Also for the FAA they still have to learn the difference and I would rather have that they are on the safe side than on the advantageous side in issues like these.

martijn.kriens Posted at 2016-2-5 21:59
this is totally standard procedure in aviation. As someone already said, at 150MPH for a small air ...

"I would rather have that they are on the safe side than on the advantageous side in issues like these."

Yes ... who knows what disastrous consequences might be unleashed if a kid were to fly his drone around the local park 25 miles from a football game.

I (almost) understand the NOTAM for real aircraft but 3200 sq. miles of no flying your toy drones is something quite different.
This is so ridiculous, it's off the scale.

I think it just boils down to the FAA not knowing how to classify different kinds of aircraft, so everyone gets the same rules.  32 miles may make sense for aircraft that are of a certain size and can fly a certain speed, but make no sense for my drone.  Starting 32 miles from the stadium, I couldn't even fly all the way there....unless someone invents a mid air battery replacement drone!  

labroides@yahoo Posted at 2016-2-5 20:21
"I would rather have that they are on the safe side than on the advantageous side in issues like th ...

We have to protect those men in thighs!

martijn.kriens Posted at 2016-2-5 10:59
this is totally standard procedure in aviation. As someone already said, at 150MPH for a small air ...

Even for normal planes, that's no justification; do they have anti-aircraft missiles stationed at sports stadiums?    How about banning all cars and vans then?  Mortar Bombs can easily be hidden in a van.  This over-the-top restriction would have zero impact on anyone planning anything untoward.  It's mad whatever way you look at it....

aburkefl@gmail. Posted at 2016-2-4 08:13
Wow! I'm against the crazies, but a 64-mile diameter circle? Gadzooks!
I was originally going to t ...

The FAA at the urging of DHS instituted a 50 mile radius around Washington DC for the State of the Union speech.

The flights coming into BWI airport had to fly in via the north, only. The local police departments and Medavac helicopters were also grounded.

There will be no local helicopters flying or aerial banners, only the blimps, and they'll have Secret Service agents  on board. It's going to be a huge cluster phuck.

DHS will have helicopters flying perimeter, and anything that encroaches on restricted airspace will be downed.

Mission creep at it's finest.

wellsi Posted at 2016-2-5 15:27
Even for normal planes, that's no justification; do they have anti-aircraft missiles stationed at  ...

Maybe not anti aircraft missiles but definitely fighter planes watching the airspace and ready to intercept

labroides@yahoo Posted at 2016-2-5 13:21
"I would rather have that they are on the safe side than on the advantageous side in issues like th ...

But I think the FAA systems at this moment have no way to broadcast different messages for this since there is no regulation. NOTAMS is a very fine grained and well working system in aviation to warn pilots of special situations. No doubt it will be adapted to drones but things move slowly in these regulatory worlds

Makes me want to fly my drone in with a net under it and catch the ball on the opening kickoff in mid air.  Then fly away with it while playing a loud recording of Nyah- nyah nya nyah nyah.

Kneepuck Posted at 2016-2-6 18:19
Makes me want to fly my drone in with a net under it and catch the ball on the opening kickoff in mi ...

Let us know how that works out for you.