If you are a pilot in training flying out of the San Francisco Bay Area, you may want to stay on the ground the weekend of February 8, as the Super Bowl TFR is going to be in place.
The FAA has created an informational web page for the event that cautions pilots that the TFR will be in place well before and after the game—and is discouraging training flights and student solo cross-country flights.
The agency notes that touch-and-go takeoffs and landings and practice approaches may be limited or suspended—check the specific airport NOTAMs to be sure.
The Details
Super Bowl LX, which crowns the NFL champion, will be played on Sunday, February 8, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
The airports that will be affected include San Francisco International (KSFO), Oakland (KOAK), Moffett Federal Airfield (KNUQ), Palo Alto (KPAO), San Carlos (KSQL), San Jose Mineta International Airport (KSJC), Napa County Airport (KAPC), Buchanan Field Airport (KCCR), Reid-Hillview (KRHV), Hayward Executive Airport (KHWD), Monterey Regional Airport (KMRY), Stockton Metropolitan Airport (KSCK), Livermore Municipal Airport (KLVK), Salinas Municipal Airport (KSNS), Watsonville (KWVI), Hollister (KCHV), and Half Moon Bay (KHAF).
TFR information for the game is historically published a week before the event, and textual NOTAMs and graphics are available from the FAA TFR website.
The FAA encourages pilots who intend to be using one of these airports to get to the game to study the airport diagrams and published arrival and parking procedures for their destination airport in advance.
Flight plans should be filed at least six hours ahead of the proposed departure time but not more than 24.
Pilots are cautioned to expect heavy air traffic, possible rerouting, miles-in-trail, altitude restrictions, and possible ground stops and delays that will require pilots to be flexible with their expected departure clearance time (EDCT) and be ready to accept a change when on IFR flight plans. Filing from the air and IFR “pickups” will not happen except in an emergency.
VFR arrivals can also expect “lengthy delays and potential holding during peak traffic periods.” VFR advisory service within the airspace of Northern California TRACON (NCT) and Oakland Center (ZOA) will be on a workload-permitting basis.
Aircraft parking will be in high demand as well, so pilots are encouraged to make arrangements in advance and coordinate with the FBOs on the field.
Tower operating hours will also be affected by the Super Bowl. Check the NOTAMs for details.
