Trump visits to Palm Beach: 5 things to know about flight restrictions when he's here
With Palm Beach resident Donald Trump's return to the White House, Palm Beach County once again is experiencing the effects of presidential-level flight restrictions imposed during each of his visits to his Mar-a-Lago Club.
The VIP-level temporary flight restrictions issued by the Federal Aviation Administration for presidential travel — any president, to any location in the United States — include a set of rules for aviators to follow.
When they don't follow those rules, it can lead to penalties for the pilot — and an interesting experience for those on the ground, who may be able to spot F-16 fighter jets rushing to intercept a wayward plane.
Here are five things to know about the flight restrictions for Trump's visits to Palm Beach.
The FAA uses temporary flight restrictions to restrict how aircraft operate over certain areas.
The restrictions can be issued for purposes such as firefighting or rescue operations; security purposes, including to protect the president, vice president and dignitaries; safety reasons like gas spills or volcanic eruptions; space operations; and national defense, according to the FAA.
The "VIP movement" flight restrictions issued for Trump's visits to Palm Beach include two rings of protection.
The inner ring is a 10 nautical mile radius where most flights are banned with the exception of approved law enforcement and air ambulance or other emergency flights, and regularly scheduled cargo and commercial passenger jets, according to FAA advisories. All emergency operations have to coordinate with air traffic control before take-off.
More movement is allowed with the 30 nm radius area, or outer ring, of the temporary flight restrictions. Aircraft can pass through but "not loiter," FAA advisories say. All aircraft that do pass through the outer ring must have a specific flight plan filed with air traffic control, which will issue the plane a code. The pilot has to stay in contact with air traffic control throughout their time passing through the restricted area, the FAA says.
There are two primary places where people can look for temporary flight restrictions.
The first is the FAA's TFR website, where the agency lists every temporary flight restriction along with links to details.
Pilots also can check the latest Notices to Airmen, or NOTAMs, on another FAA website, the Federal NOTAM System.
The FAA issues airspace notices for anything that could affect flight operations, including air shows, military exercises and airport construction, the agency said.
The FAA advises pilots to check 25 nautical miles to either side of a flight's route to make sure they are aware of all notices in the area.
As of March 13, there are flight restrictions in Florida ahead of Trump's next visit to Palm Beach, planned space operations around Cape Canaveral this weekend, activity around Mayport Naval Station in Jacksonville and long-standing restrictions in the airspace over Walt Disney World Resort in Central Florida.
Temporary flight restrictions and NOTAMs are also posted to the FAA's social media accounts, particularly the FAA Safety Briefing account on X, formerly known as Twitter, which can be found as @FAASafetyBrief.
The FAA investigates all reported temporary flight restriction violations. Pilots who violate TFRs can face sanctions ranging from warnings or fines to certificate suspensions or revocations. The sanction depends on the circumstances of the violation.
When a pilot violates the restrictions and does not respond via radio to air traffic control, North American Aerospace Defense Command sends F-16 fighter jets to intercept that plane.
The fighter jet will pass the plane on the pilot's left side about 500 feet away while rocking its wings, according to the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.
The jets may also release flares to get a pilot's attention, NORAD said.
NORAD has sent jets to investigate more than 20 "tracks of interest" in the Palm Beach area since Trump took office Jan. 20, the agency said in a news release.
The most recent happened about 1:15 p.m. March 9, NORAD said.
The FAA posts flight restrictions in a list and as a map. The map displays all types of temporary flight restrictions and shows the radius around each protected area.
Click here to see the map of current temporary flight restrictions.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: What to know about flight restrictions when Trump visits Palm Beach
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fox News
2 hours ago
- Fox News
Reagan National Airport to halt flights for Trump-hosted military parade next week
President Donald Trump will be hosting a military parade next Saturday honoring military veterans and active-duty service members to commemorate the U.S. Army's birthday. The parade is scheduled for June 14, the 250th birthday of the United States Army, Flag Day, and Trump's birthday. Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) announced the airport is expected to halt flights during the parade. "To accommodate aircraft flyovers along the parade route, followed by a fireworks display, the Federal Aviation Administration is expected to suspend airline operations at DCA – affecting scheduled flights," reads an airport press release. The airport cautions that "customers with flight reservations for the evening of June 14 should check the status of their flights directly with their airline." An FAA spokesperson told Fox News Digital the agency is working with the Department of Defense to finalize a flyover plan detailing the number and types of aircraft involved. Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) for the Washington, D.C., area will be issued in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security "to ensure safety and security during the celebration." Fox News Digital is told the restrictions will expand the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Area Special Flight Rules Area (DC SFRA) and the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area Flight Restricted Zone (DC FRZ). "The FAA will implement traffic management initiatives (TMI) at DCA before, during, and after the event to ensure safety and will facilitate a return to normal operations once the event concludes. During the peak of the celebration, the TMI stops all arrivals and departures," said the FAA spokesperson. The parade is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. and conclude at 9:30 p.m. Flight passengers are advised to use the D.C. Metrorail to reach the airport and can expect roadway closures off-airport to increase the travel time. There will be "no fireworks viewing" due to construction and event parking is strongly discouraged, says the DCA release. "Expect delays from road closures and increased pedestrian and vehicle traffic in the area," it states. The landmark event will take place on Constitution Ave NW between 15th Street and 23rd Street. At the event, there will be historical U.S. Army personnel re-enactors, period-accurate equipment, vehicles, flyovers and military bands, according to America250. "The event is designed not only to showcase the Army's modern capabilities but also to inspire a new generation to embrace the spirit of service, resilience, and leadership that defines the United States," the America250 site says.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
What you need to know about Trump's new travel bans
President Trump is rolling out new travel bans on 12 countries and travel restrictions on 7 countries, citing national security risks. Morning Brief hosts Brad Smith and Madison Mills discuss more about the restrictions and how they fit into the broader immigration crackdown. To watch more expert insights and analysis on the latest market action, check out more Morning Brief here. President Trump is imposing travel bans and restrictions on 19 countries citing national security risks. Here's what you need to know. Citizens from 12 countries, including Afghanistan, Haiti, Iran, Sudan, and Yemen among others will not be allowed into the United States. Additionally, travel to the US by citizens from seven countries including Cuba, Sierra Leone, Venezuela, and others will be partially restricted. The proclamation does call for periodic reviews of the restrictions and the president said the list is quote subject to revision based on whether material improvements are made, end quote. Are there any exceptions to these rules? Yes. Some examples, the restrictions do not apply to lawful permanent US residents, immediate family with certain immigrant visas, adoptions, special immigration visas for US government employees, athletes and coaches traveling for events like the World Cup or the Olympics, and case by case exceptions are also allowed. Why did President Trump create the ban? Well, according to the White House, the restrictions are the latest actions of a broader immigration crackdown. The President, citing a recent attack in Boulder, Colorado saying it underlines certain dangers posed by foreign nationals. Let's take a listen. The recent terror attack in Boulder, Colorado has underscored the extreme dangers posed to our country by the entry of foreign nationals who are not properly vetted, as well as those who come here as temporary visitors and overstay their visas. We don't want them. Are these kinds of policies new for President Trump? No. President Trump imposed travel bans in his first term as President. After a back and forth with the Supreme Court, a ban on citizens from seven nations, five Muslim countries, as well as North Korea and Venezuela was upheld. This ban sparked protests and confusion across airports in the US. President Biden revoked those bans after taking office in 2021. Now, part of the consideration as well, even with the acknowledgement for the video that was played a moment ago here and the video that Trump had posted on social media was that the person in that, the suspect and the terrorist that he was citing here was actually not from any of those countries in this list of the ban as well. Correct. And I think it's incredibly important context for our viewers that this is likely to get a push back from lawmakers across the country due to its lack of constitutionality.
Newsweek
3 hours ago
- Newsweek
Map Shows States With the Most Amtrak Services
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Amtrak provides a vital service to U.S. commuters; however, many states have limited access to its train network, and several states have no service at all. According to data mapped by Newsweek, the vast majority of states have access to only a handful of Amtrak routes, with over half of all states having fewer than three routes passing through their stops. Why It Matters Amtrak is the largest high-speed rail provider in the United States, carrying over 30 million passengers annually. It is supported by state and federal subsidies, much of which is focused on maintaining the Northeast Corridor, which is the busiest part of its network. What To Know Amtrak lists 39 routes across the country on its Routes and Destinations website, with many connecting to Canada in the northeast. Along with Alaska and Hawaii, which are not connected to the mainland U.S., Wyoming and South Dakota are the only states in the country that do not have any Amtrak rail service. The state with the highest number of routes is New York, with 14, which benefits from being a financial and tourism hub with a high degree of travel, and being well placed to connect to the Midwest and Washington, D.C. The second-highest was Illinois, with 12 routes, thanks to Chicago's status as a transportation hub in the Midwest. Many routes to other parts of the U.S., such as the Texas Eagle and the California Zephyr, terminate in Chicago. Many states in the South and the West benefit from major routes passing through them. Nevada, Arizona, Idaho, North Dakota, and Montana all have only one major service calling at stops there, with final destinations in bordering states. The Northeast Corridor, which runs between Boston and Washington, D.C., with major metropolitan stops in New York City and Philadelphia, accounted for more than 14 million riders in fiscal year 2024—a 15.9 percent increase from the previous year. What People Are Saying In a statement given to Newsweek, Amtrak said: "Amtrak is meeting record demand, all while delivering mega construction projects, upgrading fleet, and serving more places with state partners. With strong federal support from the Trump-Vance administration, Amtrak can continue investments in American infrastructure and jobs, strengthen the economy, and make America a world leader in rail once again." What Happens Next Amtrak is undergoing major construction work in nearly 30 areas along the Northeast Corridor, where the majority of its tracks are located.
