News and Updates – The FAA Announces Season 2 of Its Podcast The Air Up There!

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Washington, DC — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) kicks off the second season of its The Air Up There podcast with a bonus episode discussing the FAAs role in the transportation of the COVID-19 vaccine. During the new season, which runs through the summer of 2021, the agency will cover topics including commercial space transportation, drone package delivery, and how to start a career in aviation and aerospace.

The Air Up There first aired last fall with three of the seasons seven episodes highlighting the important role of aviation in responding to the global pandemic. Another episode focused on how the nations air traffic control system works, the role of aviation in wildfires and another on how drones can be used for the good of others. The seasons final podcast episode, FAA Administrator Steve Dickson talked about the path that led him to aviation.

In addition to the bonus episode, the upcoming season of The Air Up There will be packed with stories on drone package deliveries and whats next on the horizon for commercial space in the near future. Well also look at how the FAA works with conservation specialists to make sure the agency is taking the right steps to keep the National Airspace System safe, whether its by avoiding a bird strike or keeping alligators off the runway.

Listen to season one and stay tuned for season two here, as well as on popular podcast apps.

News and Updates – FAA Expands Weather Camera Program to Hawaii

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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is expanding weather-camera services to Hawaii to enhance aviation safety and pilot decision-making. The cameras, which already are installed in Alaska and Colorado, improve safety by providing pilots with near-real time video of weather conditions at their destinations and along their intended flight routes.

The Hawaii project will install 23 camera facilities throughout the islands. The FAA has completed engineering surveys and site selections on Kauai, Lanai, Maui and Molokai, and will begin surveys on Oahu and the Big Island in March 2021. Each facility can accommodate up to four cameras and the images can be viewed at https://weathercams.faa.gov.

The FAA plans to begin camera installations on Kauai in March and will move to the other islands as the agency develops engineering plans, obtains leases and permits, and procures the equipment. The agency expects images from the Kauai cameras will be on its weather-camera website in mid-2021.

The FAA established working groups of aircraft operators and FAA experts on each island to identify prime locations for camera installations and to ensure robust communication between pilots and the agency about the projects progress. The FAA is basing site locations on flight routes and areas where weather conditions commonly affect and interrupt flight operations.

Weather cameras in Alaska have been successful for 20 years. Last year, the FAA helped the Colorado Department of Transportation implement a weather camera program to improve pilot awareness of weather conditions above the Rocky Mountains.

For more insight into the history and future of the FAA Weather Camera Program, go to the FAA Blog,Cleared forTakeOff, to read a new post from our very own Weather Camera Manager, Walter Combs.

News and Updates – FAA Announces Super Bowl LV Safety Plan

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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)is working with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, the aviation community, and the National Football League to ensure safe, secure and efficient operations before, during and after Super Bowl LV. The Super Bowl will be held Feb. 7, 2021, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla.

The agency is planning for hundreds of additional take-offs and landings and aircraft parked at Tampa Bay airportsduring Super Bowl week. Special procedures, includingTemporary Flight Restrictions(TFR) and aNo Drone Zonewill limit flights around Raymond James Stadium before, during and after the game.

Thegame day TFRwill go into effect at approximately5:30 p.m. EST. It will cover a 30 nautical mile (34.5 mile) ring, centered over the stadium and from the ground up to 18,000 feet in altitude. It will expire at 11:59 p.m. EST, but may be extended if conditions warrant. Drones also are prohibited inside the TFR.

The FAA has establishedadditional TFRs torestrict drone flightsfor twonautical miles (2.3 miles) around Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park and Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park from the ground to an altitude of 2,000 feetfromFriday, January 29,through Saturday, February 6, during event hours.

Pilots must be aware of thelatest TFRs and checkNotices to Airmen (NOTAM)before flying. Pilots and drone operators who enter the TFRs without permission could face civil penalties that exceed $30,000 and potential criminal prosecution for flying drones in the TFR. The FAA encourages drone operators to check allnotices(PDF)to determine where drones may fly.

Drone pilots should check theFAAs B4UFly appto determine when and where they may fly.

The TFR will not affect regularly scheduled commercial flights at Tampa International Airport (TPA). Emergency, medical, public safety and military operations may fly in the TFR while it is in place, in coordination with air traffic control.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) enforces TFRs in real time.

News and Updates – Tampa Bay is a “No Drone Zone” During Super Bowl LV

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TAMPA, Fla., Raymond James Stadium in Tampa is a No Drone Zone for Super Bowl LV on Feb. 7, 2021. Drones also are prohibited around the Tampa Riverwalk for the NFL Super Bowl Experience during the days leading up to the event.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will establish a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) on game day that will prohibit drones within a 30-nautical-mile radius of the stadium up to 18,000 feet in altitude. The TFR will be in place from 5:30 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. EST.

Drones are also prohibited for one nautical mile around Raymond James Stadium on February 7 from 10 a.m. until the TFR for the game takes effect. Further details are available in thedrone TFR(PDF).

The FAA will restrict drone flights for roughly two nautical miles around Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park and Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park up to an altitude of 2,000 feet from January 29 to February 6 during event hours.

Pilots and drone operators who enter the TFRs without permission could face civil penalties that exceed $30,000 and potential criminal prosecution for flying drones in the TFR.

Detailed information for general aviation and drone pilots is available on theFAA’s Super Bowl LV web page.

Drone pilots should check theFAAs B4UFly appto determine when and where they may fly.

News and Updates – New Members Appointed to the Drone Advisory Committee

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Committee helps the agency create strategies for the safe integration of UAS into the National Airspace System.