ATTN: TFRs in Texas This Weekend

[barnstmr]

ATTENTION ALL WHO ARE PLANNING TO ATTEND THE FACTORY FLY-IN THIS WEEKEND. BE SURE TO CALL FLIGHT SERVICE BEFORE YOU FLY ANYWHERE NEAR WACO OR AUSTIN.

I just made 3 phone calls to learn all I could learn about the TFRS associated with the President in Texas this weekend. Here's what I know so far.

There are three TFRs that may affect me and possibly others that may affect others. Here they are.
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NOTAM # ??????
TSTC WACO Airport Friday from 11:10 AM to 1:40 pm
I didn't get the details because we will be leaving after that time.
Check with Flight Service for details
FSS 1-800-WX-BRIEF
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NOTAM 4/4428
CRAWFORD TX Friday 5/21 - 4:25pm to Sunday 5/23 - 11:00 am
PROHIBITED AREA: within 10 nm radius of P49 Crawford
No access IN or OUT. Surface to 18,000 msl
RESTRICTED AREA: between 10 nm radius and 30 nm radius of P49 Crawford. Must file IFR or VFR flight plan going in or out, and have 2-way comm, and squawk an assigned ATC code. Surface to 18,000 msl
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NOTAM 4/4435
AUSTIN TX Saturday 5/22 - 5:45pm to 9:45pm
PROHIBITED AREA: within 11 nm radius of Austin Bergstrom Airport
No access IN or OUT. Surface to 18,000 msl
RESTRICTED AREA: between 11 nm radius and 30 nm radius of Austin Bergstrom Airport. Must file IFR or VFR flight plan going in or out, and have 2-way comm, and squawk an assigned ATC code. Surface to 18,000 msl
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Our strip is within the 30 nm radius. We have no elec/radios in the BC65. Can borrow a hand held comm...but was told NO TRANSPONDER, NO FLY. I doubt if I can get off work in time to leave before 4:25 tomorrow. If not WE CAN'T FLY. If I am lucky enough to get out, then we will have a big pain getting back in. We were planning to come home Sat. around 5pm We would have to land outside the 30 nm and have someone drive to get us.....go back Sunday afternoon to pick up airplane. I am guessing that Marine 1 will be flying from Austin to Crawford in the evening. Perhaps we could legally fly alongside the President somewhere outside the TFRs between Austin and Crawford.

This happened to us last Thanksgiving. My wife and I gave up on getting to fly...and we DROVE. The Terrorists win yet again.

[barnstmr]

Some helpful phone #s

GRAY Approach (Fort Hood)
1-254-288-9111 Tower
1-254-255-3648 Approach
1-254-288-1220 Facility Chief (They told me to call the F.C., Malcolm Thompson tomorrow to appeal with a request to fly out with no transponder.)

WACO Approach
1-254-759-3021

[barnstmr]

LOOKS LIKE WE ARE DRIVING

THE GRAY ARMY AIRFIELD ATC CHIEF HAS STATED THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS MADE TO THE "TRANSPONDER" REQUIREMENT FOR FLIGHT OUT FROM UNDER THE 30 nm RADIUS TFR.

Never mind that I am living within this area, raising my kids here, working here, and trying to be a positive input to the world of aviation. Never mind that I have been planning this trip for months. Never mind that this TFR was just issued yesterday. I AM NO LONGER FREE TO EXCERCIZE THE PRIVELEDGE OF MY FAA PRIVATE PILOT'S CERTIFICATE IN AN FAA-CERTIFIED AIRCRAFT HERE IN MY OWN COUNTY. Somehow, I am expected to spend more money and come up with special equipment that does not enhance the performance or add to the safety of my antique aircraft. After all,... all other airplanes have transponders.

So it comes across to me loud and clear to me that the FAA, TSA, our Military, and the Secret Service couldn't care less about the antique airplane fleet and operators. I have spoken to all of these government agencies twice over the past 6 months willing to comply with a reasonable procedure for flight operations. I have found NO help, NO effort from any of these government agencies in trying to find a reasonable procedure for law-abiding, G.W.Bush-supporting, well-meaning citizen to gain permission for operating a little 65 hp Taylorcraft in and out of his own home-base airport at any time when our neighbor, the President, decides to spend some well deserved time at home.

I voted for GW Bush and I will again. I feel that our country is very blessed to have this Faithful Christian man in the white house. And, I realize that these are extraordinary times for our country... and that many Americans have suffered loss and great pain as a result of the evil acts of terror in this world. Perhaps in the whole scheme of things, a couple of guys in a Taylorcraft headed to a weekend meet are insignificant. Maybe I should just hush and stop whining. But I am just having a VERY hard time with the thought of losing the freedom of due process for law abiding citizens.

I am 100% in agreement that we should protect our President in his travels. However, our government agencies could do a better job in providing reasonable procedures for the excercize of freedoms such as this, within the bounds of safety for our President. The problem is, nobody in Government is willing to step up with help, for fear that thier political stature may be scruitinized. Nobody, but our president, will TAKE A STAND for anything anymore and this is killing our country's strength and value. I see this all the time in General Aviation certification work. The FAA is headed toward the point of not approving anything themselves, but instead dumping that onto the private sector. This would be a good thing, except their policies and orders restrict the private sector excessively. Now, I am getting the same feeling from this TFR situation.

If this hasn't affected you already in your Taylorcraft aviating experience, get ready...it will. And probably sooner than later. WE ALL NEED TO STAND UP FOR OURSELVES AND FIGHT FOR OUR FREEDOMS...or it will soon be GONE.


SO ANYWAY, We'll see you at the fly-in tomorrow. We'll be in the gray Durango.

[Ron Greene]

Looks like we are driving

Just did a little quick research on the AOPA site and it list one office as the place to request waivers with the forms to fill out and the office fax number to submit them to. Don't know if this will help but worth a try.

http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/newsitems/2001/011221waivers.html

Ron Greene

[Forrest Barber]

Well said from all, TFR's in Texas . Hugh, Big, nasty thunderstorms in Ohio....we got hit the worst that even came through here....the Barber Airport was fairly lucky. WE only got some flooding. Wiped out many events in the area. Hope all works out in LaGrange.....I will retain your thoughts on this TFR stuff ; like I tell at many meetings " WE are NOT the enemy"
have fun if you make it . bye