The Airspace Authorizations Office manages the process of aircraft operators who request to enter areas of restricted airspace. Pilots should read all applicable Notice to Airmen and contact their local Flight Service Station prior to flight operations. It is the pilot’s responsibility to ensure proper authorization from TSA and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) prior to starting flight operations.
You can contact the Airspace Authorization Office during normal business hours at (571) 227-2071.
Apply
Waiver requests may be submitted online via the FAA/TSA Airspace Access Program, and must be submitted no later than five business days in advance of the flight. In certain cases, applicants may be advised that extra time is required for review.
Applicants will be asked to provide full name, social security number, date of birth, place of birth, passport number and passport country as well as the start and end dates of the flight. For applications for aircraft operating within the United States, the waiver review process includes an evaluation of the aircraft, crew, passengers and purpose of flight. A flight itinerary must be provided for single trip and no transponder waivers.
Eligibility
TSA provides a recommendation of approval or denial to the FAA Office of System Operations Security. If you are determined to be eligible for a waiver, you will be notified and provided with a unique waiver authorization. Pilots must possess a copy of the waiver when filing a flight plan and during flight operations.
Types of Waivers
Disney Theme Parks
Disney Theme Park waivers permit flight operations within the Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) areas established for Disneyland and Disney World Theme Parks. Applicants must provide a letter of verification from the relevant park verifying that the waiver is for an operational function of the venue. The letter must identify the pilot's name, business and aircraft registration number along with the venue location, and event name and date.
Major Sporting Events
Sporting event waivers permit flight operations within the temporary flight restricted airspace established for National Football League, Major League Baseball, NCAA Division I Football, NASCAR Series main events races and INDY Racing League main event races occurring in stadiums with a seating capacity of 30,000 or more. Sporting Events Waivers are event-specific. Each approved waiver will specify the name, dates and location of the specific sporting event over which the pilot will be authorized to fly.
For additional information pertaining to each waiver type, please visit FAA Notice to Airmen.
Special Events
Special Event Waivers permit authorized flight operations within the temporary flight restricted airspace established for special events. Examples of special events might include political party conventions or other National Special Security Events that take place outside of Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., Flight Restricted Zone for Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS)
Pilots requesting permission to fly unmanned aircraft in the Flight Restricted Zone must submit an online waiver application. The application must be accompanied by a letter or contract specifying the purpose and scope of the work to be completed. UAS waiver applications should be submitted no later than 15 business days in advance of the flight. Reference the following link to view full details of the application requirements: DC FRZ UAS Applicants Guidelines. The Washington, D.C. Special Flight Rules Area and Flight Restricted Zone are described in 14 CFR Part 93 Subpart V and supplemented by FAA Notice to Airmen as required.
Washington, D.C., Special Flight Rules Area and Flight Restricted Zone
Pilots requesting permission to fly aircraft into the Washington, D.C. Flight Restricted Zone, including operations to or from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Joint Base Andrews, and Davison Army Air Field, must submit an online waiver application. In some instances, the application must be accompanied by a letter or contract specifying the purpose and scope of the work to be completed. The Washington DC Special Flight Rules Area and Flight Restricted Zone are described in 14 CFR Part 93 Subpart V and supplemented by FAA Notice to Airmen as required. As of April 2018, the effective notice is FDC NOTAM 8/3032, March 15, 2018.
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 operations to/from and within the airspace of the United States without an operating encoding transponder.
Types of International Waivers
International Air Ambulance (INA)
International air ambulance waivers authorize aircraft operators to operate over and within the airspace of the United States and its territorial possessions. This waiver may be granted to individual pilots, companies and organizations applying for single day or multiple day flights involving one or more aircraft. Ownership information of aircraft is required. All persons, including patient(s) who may be onboard during waiver period must be included in the original request.
No Transponder Waivers
No transponder waivers authorize visual flight rules operations within the airspace of the United States without an operating encoding transponder. Ownership information 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 a maximum 90 days.
Single Trip Waivers
International single trip waivers authorize aircraft operators to operate over and within the airspace of the United States and its territorial possessions. This waiver may be granted to individual pilots, companies and organizations applying for single day or multiple day flights involving one or more aircraft. Ownership information 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 90 days.