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Part 93, Special Air Traffic Rules (SATR) - I'm confused.

CadrePilot

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I'm baffled by the mixed information about the “Restricted” airspace with a no-drone logo, along with “Permanent Flight Restrictions” and reference to Part 93 special air traffic rules (SATR).

Can anyone help me make sense of it?

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Air Aware shows “Restricted” airspace with a no-drone logo, along with “Permanent Flight Restrictions” and reference to Part 93 special air traffic rules (SATR). It also overlaps Class D airspace.

Followed military installation guidelines, submitted request, and got conditional approval to fly in the SATR.

For Class D, submitted broad (both airspace and dates) request via DroneZone. UAS Specialist called and provided useful feedback regarding the Class D airspace. They also commented that the “Restricted” airspace is Class G airspace, is not applicable to drones, that I was under no obligation to request access, nor do I need to communicate with ATC prior/after flights, and doing so is simply a courtesy.

This morning, I received the denial letter from FAA. It suggests submitting a narrower request for the Class D airspace. In reference to the SATR airspace, it advises “Operations over the [redacted] Resort centered on [coordinates] lie in Class G airspace and do not require an Airspace Authorization.” That also aligns with the UAS Specialist’s statements.
 
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Resubmit and reduce the area to include only that which is in NOT in Class G airspace.
 
Resubmit and reduce the area to include only that which is in NOT in Class G airspace.
My Class D request was overly broad. I'm confident I'll work that part out.

As part of my DroneZone application, I included my application and approval for the SATR. The FAA rep expressed dismay at me needing to do that.
 
I'm baffled by the mixed information about the “Restricted” airspace with a no-drone logo, along with “Permanent Flight Restrictions” and reference to Part 93 special air traffic rules (SATR).

Can anyone help me make sense of it?
 
I'm baffled by the mixed information about the “Restricted” airspace with a no-drone logo, along with “Permanent Flight Restrictions” and reference to Part 93 special air traffic rules (SATR).

Can anyone help me make sense of it?
What's the location you're dealing with?
 
What's the location you're dealing with?
I was trying to remain discreet. ;-)

Valparaiso Terminal Area. The Emerald Coast.
 
I was trying to remain discreet. ;-)

Valparaiso Terminal Area. The Emerald Coast.
That area near Eglin AFB in the Florida Panhandle is the most difficult to sort out of all the locations I've seen.

There's a link below to a good reference on FAA airspace types. And here are some excerpts.

Restricted areas contain airspace identified by an area on the surface of the earth within which the flight of aircraft, while not wholly prohibited, is subject to restrictions.
Prohibited areas
contain airspace of defined dimensions identified by an area on the surface of the earth within which the flight of aircraft is prohibited


Screenshot 2024-09-13 112915.jpg This symbol in Air Aware is potentially misleading. Drones are not generally forbidden to operate in all Restricted Airspace. Often the restrictions are in place for certain altitudes or during particular time periods,- hours of the day or days of the week. That's not the case with the Valparaiso Terminal Area; it's continuous and covers from the surface to 8500' MSL or 18,000' MSL. It may or may not be entirely true for the Valparaiso Terminal Area.

(I wonder if Air Aware uses that same no-drones graphic for Restricted Areas where drone flight are allowed.)


That page states that flight is allowed with clearance from an FAA Air Traffic Control or the Eglin Radar Control Facility and with two-way radio communication while in the area. I've tried to find examples of drone pilots receiving clearance to fly in the VTA, but found nothing recent. There is another relevant thread on this forum, but there's no additional information there. Valparaiso, Florida Terminal Area

Without an aircraft VHF radio, it's certainly not allowable to fly in the VTA. That's enough to keep me grounded. But it may be possible to to get clearance. The Eglin AFB public affairs office would be a good place to begin.
 

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