PUBLISHED YESTERDAY - Makes it really, really important to check NOTAMS before flying VFR; note that “OFFICIAL CHARTS OUTLINING THE NEW RESTRICTED OR PROHIBITED AREAS WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE” - i.e. they are not available yet.
FDC 1/0609 FDC … SPECIAL NOTICE … RESTRICTED/PROHIBITED AREA ENFORCEMENT EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, COMMERCIAL AND PRIVATE AIRCRAFT FLYING INSIDE, OR IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO, NEWLY ESTABLISHED OR CURRENTLY EXISTING RESTRICTED OR PROHIBITED AREAS OF THE UNITED STATES WILL BE SUBJECT TO BEING FORCED DOWN BY ARMED MILITARY AIRCRAFT. IF NECESSARY, THE MILITARY HAS INDICATED THAT DEADLY FORCE WILL BE USED TO PROTECT THESE AREAS FROM UNAUTHORIZED INCURSIONS. THESE MEASURES ARE NECESSARY IN RESPONSE TO THE TERRORIST ATROCITIES OF SEPT. 11, 2001, WHICH CAUSED THOUSANDS OF INNOCENT CIVILIAN CASUALTIES. THE MILITARY WILL USE DEADLY FORCE ONLY AS A LAST RESORT, AFTER ALL OTHER MEANS ARE EXHAUSTED. THIS NEW POLICY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. OFFICIAL CHARTS OUTLINING THE NEW RESTRICTED OR PROHIBITED AREAS WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THESE AREAS WILL BE PERIODICALLY REVISED AND WILL THEREFORE REQUIRE THAT EACH PILOT RECEIVE AN UP TO DATE BRIEFING ON THE STATUS OF THESE AREAS PRIOR TO EVERY FLIGHT. IN ADDITION, ALL AIRCRAFT OPERATING IN THE U.S. NATIONAL AIRPSACE AND IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE SUBJECT AREAS, IF CAPABLE, WILL MAINTAIN A LISTENING WATCH ON VHF GUARD 121.5 OR UHF 243.0. IT IS INCUMBENT ON ALL AVIATORS TO KNOW AND UNDERSTAND THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES IF INTERCEPTED. REVIEW AERONAUTICAL INFORMATION MANUAL SECTION 6, 5-6-2 FOR INTERCEPT PROCEDURES.
Mike.