The FAA just announced on Twitter that Minute Maid Park, the home of the Houston Astros and the venue for game 7 of the World Series, is a #nodronezone.
What does this mean? Well, the tweet means nothing. The FAA is not allowed regulate the U.S. aerospace system via Twitter.
However, the FAA is most certainly allowed to issue Temporary Flight Restrictions (“TFRs”) and frequently does so to protect stadiums.
Notice to All Airmen (“NOTAM”) FDC 7/4319 (issued pursuant to 49 CFR §99.7) restricts aircraft from flying at or below 3,000 feet above ground level within three nautical miles of any sports venue with a seating capacity of 30,000 or more within an hour of any Major League Baseball game, National Football League game, NCAA Division 1 football game, NASCAR race, Indy Car race, or Champ Series race.
And what about the criminal penalties? Those would be pursuant to 49 USC §46307, so they are also a real thing.
Tweet or no tweet, keep this in mind next October when the World Series comes to T-Mobile Park for the Mariners’ first championship appearance.
Nate Bingham is an Attorney with Krutch Lindell Bingham Jones, representing victims of aviation accidents and other aviation related incidents.
