AUSTIN (KXAN) — Drone owners need to be aware of flight restrictions Monday during President Joe Biden’s visit to Austin, and that their drones could be seized or destroyed by federal agents.
Starting at 11:15 a.m. on Monday, the Federal Aviation Administration will have “temporary flight restrictions for VIP movement” in place, per a notice to air missions (NOTAM) issued Friday morning.
The area covers a radius of 30 nautical miles, centered on a point in east Austin. That area stretches from Georgetown and Liberty Hill in the North, to San Marcos and Lockhart in the South. In the East, it covers TX-95 from Taylor to Bastrop. In the West, Dripping Springs, Wimberly and Bee Cave.
According to the NOTAM, the following types of flights will not be allowed within the temporary restriction area: Trainings, gliders, parachute jumps, ultralight aircraft, hot-air balloons, banner-towing, agricultural, animal population control, aerobatic, sightseeing, maintenance tests and surveys. The restrictions also cover unmanned aircraft (commonly known as drones), model aircraft and rockets.
“[Drone operators] who do not comply with applicable airspace restrictions are warned that…the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security or the Department of Justice may take security action that results in the interference, disruption, seizure, damaging, or destruction of unmanned aircraft deemed to pose a credible safety or security threat to protected personnel, [facilities], or assets,” the NOTAM reads.
The NOTAM cites Titles 6 & 10 of the U.S. Code, which allow the DOD, DHS and DOJ to take the listed security actions without the drone operator’s consent. Drones seized in this way are forfeited to the U.S. government.
The modern risk posed by even small drones is seen in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.
The restrictions will not prevent flights by emergency response aircraft, military escort aircraft, scheduled commercial passenger flights and cargo aircraft. However, those flights won’t be allowed to hold in the airspace, which may mean that passenger aircraft could be redirected to other airports if they can’t readily land.
The rules also require permitted flights to have constant communication with air traffic control while in the area.
The restrictions end at 6:00 p.m. on Monday. So starting at 11 a.m. that day, keep it grounded.