OK, so the big kahuna was actually there on Friday afternoon. I can bite
off on that part of the TFR. But the TFR goes all weekend. In fact, it
began on Thursday night (the weekend must start early when you are a member
of Congress), and will extend through Sunday afternoon. Now, maybe it is
possible that the president is spending the whole weekend there. I mean, it
is a pretty nice place if you like drinking foul-smelling mineral water.
But that really wouldn't be his pattern; he tends to come in, make his
speech, and depart.
So if he is spending the entire weekend there, then I apologize for making
such a big deal about this. But if he isn't spending the entire Thursday
through Sunday time there, then that still means that this TFR was establish
to protect members of congress. As far as I can recall, that would make
this is the very first instance of a congressional (versus presidential)
TFR.
FAA TO ESTABLISH TFR OVER LEWISBURG THURSDAY THROUGH SUNDAY
AOPA is sending this update to advise pilots in and near Lewisburg,
West Virginia, that the FAA has issued a notam restricting flight in
the area from Thursday, January 27, through Sunday, January 30.
"AOPA is amazed that members of Congress require temporary flight
restrictions (TFRs) for a visit to The Greenbrier resort for a policy
weekend," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "Never before have such
visits to a spa required this high a level of security."
There will be a 10-nautical-mile-radius TFR centered on the
LWB VOR's 140-degree radial at 6 miles, extending up to 10,000 feet
msl. It will be in effect from 8 p.m. local on Thursday until 3 p.m.
local on Sunday. Also, there will be a smaller 5-nm-radius GA no-fly
zone in effect during that time frame. See AOPA Online for the full
text of the notam (
http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/notams.html#5/0808 )
along with a graphic.
President George W. Bush has made his first stop in the Mountain State
since his re-election. The President met with GOP members of Congress
at the Greenbrier Resort Friday afternoon.