The 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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• Applicants must submit a completed TSA waiver request form online via: https://waivers.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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Applicable Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs)

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

General Information
The Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA) mirrors the footprint of the Baltimore Washington Class B airspace and consists of the airspace within approximately 30 nautical miles (NM) of Reagan National Airport (DCA). The Flight Restricted Zone (FRZ) is located within the SFRA 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.

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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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