Operating Near Hurricane Recovery Efforts
Recovery efforts in the aftermath of a hurricane can be immense and require close coordination at both the federal and the state levels. The airspace around the recovery efforts have high levels of aviation activity, including small airplanes, helicopters, and drones. The FAA’s goal at all times is to ensure safety and help facilitate this critical work.
TFRs do not ban aircraft, including drones, from providing disaster relief
At the request of local authorities or law enforcement, the Federal Aviation Administration can issue Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) to ensure safety for aircraft conducting Hurricane rescue and recovery activities. These TFRs do not ban aircraft, including drones, from providing disaster relief and recovery assistance. State and local authorities may also enact local restrictions. Relief operations, including civilian and volunteer operations, may access the restricted airspace if they are coordinated with emergency responders. In a dynamic and quickly evolving environment like this, TFRs are constantly shifting and you can find the latest online here: https://tfr.faa.gov/tfr2/list.html
An ACA does not restrict airspace, but provides pilots important guidance
Additionally, at the request of a state government, the FAA will issue an Airspace Coordination Area (ACA), which is an advisory for very specific circumstances—a heads up about an unusual situation and/or congestion that pilots should be aware of. An ACA does not restrict airspace, but provides pilots important guidance. You can find the latest online here: https://notams.aim.faa.gov/notamSearch/nsapp.html#/.
A local airport may implement Prior Permission Required (PPR) to manage air traffic, ensure safety and control access to their airport. These airports are not closed; however, pilots and operators must get permission to have full use of the runway or airport facility.
Rumor: FEMA is operating and controlling airports in western North Carolina
Fact: FEMA is not controlling any airports in western North Carolina. Airport Managers and Airport Sponsors are the legal entities in charge of operating airports, even in Helene response. FEMA staff may be present at airports as they deploy supplies and stage for Helene response. Airports are critical for accessing impacted NC communities for response and recovery efforts for partners including FEMA.
Rumor: The FAA is restricting access to the airspace for Helene rescue and recovery operations
Fact: The FAA is not restricting access for recovery operations. The FAA is coordinating closely with state and local officials to make sure everyone is operating safely in very crowded and congested airspace.
For more facts vs. rumors see FEMA's Hurricane Rumor Response.
Hurricane Aviation Best Practices
- The FAA has embedded personnel at Emergency Operations Centers (EOC) in affected states to assist with airspace coordination, ensuring the safety of flight and priority access for emergency services.
- The volume of activity in the traffic patterns and ramp areas of these airports is very high due to a combination of fixed-wing, helicopter and drone operators. Please exercise extreme caution and always follow right-of-way rules due to the possible space constraints. For a review of procedures and operations at non-towered airports, please review FAA Advisory Circular 90-66B, Non-Towered Airport Flight Operations.
- Pilots planning to make a supply drop are encouraged to first coordinate with local community-based organizations that understand the airports’ ability and capacity to receive airdrops.
- Consider tankering fuel through impacted airports to reduce the demand for fuel at these locations.
- If you are flying a drone to support recovery efforts, ensure you are flying under Part 107 or the statutory requirements for public aircraft. Crewed aircraft always have the right-of-way and most likely will not see your drone. Mountainous terrain makes see-and-avoid even harder.
- If you are a helicopter pilot, consider a safety refresher by watching a rotorcraft collective video on YouTube, including this video on sharing low-altitude airspace with drones.
Please be sure to follow our social media channels for further updates on recovery efforts at www.faa.gov/social.