9/19/01 8:47:39 AM, ET — The National Security Council (NSC)
met again last night at 5 p.m. EDT to consider VFR flight
operations, but it made no decisions. VFR flight still is prohibited
except in Alaska and with a few exceptions noted below. The NSC is
supposed to discuss VFR flight again today. AOPA is in direct
communication with the senior FAA officials who are in those NSC
meetings. AOPA has given those officials all of the information
about the impact the VFR ban is having on general aviation. AOPA has
also offered plans for restarting VFR flight operations. AOPA
President Phil Boyer is also talking personally to Secretary of
Transportation Norman Mineta and FAA Administrator Jane Garvey
almost daily, again reiterating the message that VFR general
aviation operations are an important part of the national
transportation system.
FAA has issued an amended notam that now permits some photo
missions to circle VFR, provided that the flight begins and ends on
an IFR flight plan, and the photo activity remains clear of Class B
airspace, temporary flight restrictions, and other restricted
airspace. Certain medevac and other emergency VFR flights are also
permitted, along with Part 137 agricultural operations outside of
Class B airspace. Pilots must obtain and understand the most current
notams. Pilots are again warned: VFR flight is
prohibited. Fighter aircraft will intercept any civilian aircraft
that takes off without an IFR flight plan, a discrete beacon code,
and ATC clearance.