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A coalition of sports leagues including the NFL, the MLB and NASCAR are opposed to certain regulations in the FAA reauthorization bill which would loosen flight restrictions over major stadiums and roadways. A letter was sent to Congress in July, urging members to oppose the changes over safety concerns in restrictions that were established after the terrorist attacks on 9/11.
"If adopted, the language would establish a broad and complex waiver program that would permit countless aircraft to fly near and over stadiums during games, putting millions of fans at risk, and unnecessarily so," the July 18 letter to Congress said.
The restrictions were first established in the wake of the 9/11 attacks in response to concerns over terrorists using aircraft as weapons. Congress codified and strengthened these restrictions twice, adding specific criteria for aircraft operations within the flight-restricted areas. The current rules place a temporary restriction over any stadium or raceway that seats over 30,000 people from one hour before the event until one hour after. A no-fly zone is created 3,000 feet above and three nautical miles from the center of the stadium. These rules do not apply to authorized flights with law enforcement, military and air ambulances.
Rep. Sam Graves led the changes as chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Transportation andamp; Infrastructure.
"It's simply wrong to suggest that existing flight restrictions have any connection to preventing terrorism," Graves said to ESPN. "It's also wrong that a construction crew wanting to use a drone to inspect a roof three miles away -- just to give an example -- has to wait until a ballgame is over to do their job, or else they're breaking federal law."
Graves explained to ESPN that the FAA would instead issue waivers on an individual basis through consultation with the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice.
"The FAA already gives waivers for team owners and special guests flying their helicopters and private planes near a stadium, so why should it be any different for the rest of the general public who can also demonstrate a clear need and meet the requirements for obtaining a waiver?" Graves said to ESPN.
The letter sent in July stated that the current rules enhance safety and security at large stadium events and minimize disruption to the National Airspace System.
"Having devoted substantial resources to secure our stadiums on the ground, we regard the stadium flight restriction as essential to safeguarding the airspace overhead," the letter to Congress said. "Moreover, given the proliferation of UAS in our NAS, as well as the continuing need to remain vigilant to other current and emerging risks, the stadium flight restriction is as vital now as ever to our national security and public safety. We believe section 813 complicates the airspace over stadiums, compromises public safety and security, and courts potential disaster. We, therefore, urge you to uphold current law and maintain existing flight restrictions that protect the safety and security of millions of fans who attend large stadium sporting events every year."Excerpt from White House statement
The White House released a statement on July 17, urging Congress to consider alternative methods to deconflict airshows and major sports events instead of allowing aircraft to operate in close proximity to major sporting events, attended by millions of Americans each year.
"While the Administration supports the goal of providing accessibility to and public use of the national airspace, it is concerned that provisions proposed in the bill could introduce unnecessary risks to those attending major sporting events if the effectiveness of safety and security buffers currently provided by temporary flight restrictions were to be decreased," the White House said.
The sports coalition sent their letter to Congress one day after the White House statement. Cathy Lanier, the NFL's senior VP of security, was the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Chief during 9/11. She warned of aircraft-related terrorism threats and told ESPN another concern is congested airspace over stadiums due to advertising desires.
"A lot of individuals and others will want to fly over large crowds to advertise," she said. "And in that congested airspace, an accident is very much a concern."RELATED STORIES:Furloughed workers and travel delays - how a government shutdown would impact aviationHouse passes FAA reauthorization bill with overwhelming supportHouse, Senate versions of FAA reauthorization bill - What's included in each one
Even if the new changes pass, planes will still not be allowed to fly below 3,000 feet directly over the stadium. The changes are among the many changes and topics up for debate in the FAA reauthorization bill, including addressing the January NOTAM outage, which was the first nationwide ground stop since 9/11. The FAA authorization expires on Sept. 30. The House of Representatives approved a renewal on July 20 with overwhelming support in a 351-69 vote. FAA funding is in jeopardy as Congress sits at a standstill without an agreement on federal government funding. Without consensus, a shutdown will commence on Oct. 1.