(August 3, 2004) - Fractional and air charter operators have dealt with numerous temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) imposed since the tragic events of 9/11.

These operators should now take note of a projected increase in TFRs in the months leading up to the presidential election on November 2, 2004. This increase is a result of the new U.S Secret Service protection attached to the Democratic nominees for president and vice president, Senators Kerry and Edwards.

This added protection results in at least a doubling of the FAR Part 91.141 TFRs affecting business aviation operators, which likely will increase even further as Election Day nears. In addition, operators should expect shorter lead times for notification of 91.141 TFRs. These complex, late-notice TFRs will appear nationwide, but are most likely to emerge in election battleground states such as Florida, Iowa, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) says it is addressing this issue in several ways. First, as part of its Secure Access initiative, NBAA is pressing the Bush Administration and Congress to implement and fund an appropriate general aviation security program for qualified operators. In addition, NBAA continues to urge the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to expand the TSA Access Certificate (TSAAC) Program, which may grant TSAAC holders access to TFRs equivalent to scheduled air carriers.

While NBAA and other organizations work with the federal government to alleviate this situation, operators are urged to prepare for the upcoming onslaught of TFRs by accessing some of the organization alert notification services. More than 2,100 NBAA members currently subscribe to NBAA¡¯s Airspace Alerts e-mail list as a source to keep them informed about current and potential TFRs. The NBAA General Aviation (GA) Desk, based at the FAA Air Traffic Control System Command Center in Herndon, VA, is another resource for assisting member operations in the National Airspace System.