Is General Aviation grounded too?

[Boxcar]

From faa.gov

General Aviation Flights

On Sept. 19, the FAA authorized limited return of general aviation Part 91 visual flight rules operations, or VFR, flights. Instrument Flight Rules, or IFR, flights were authorized on Sept. 14. If you are a general aviation pilot and want to fly VFR, please familiarize yourself with the text of the notam (Notice to Airmen). If you are unsure of your authorization status, please contact your local Flight Service Station at 1-800-WXBRIEF. VFR pilots must receive a full briefing from their Flight Service Station or DUATS, as well as familiarize themselves with the text of the notam (Notice to Airmen).

This AOPA Mirror Site has the Notice (Notices?) to Airmen posted.

If I am reading these right, it looks like the VFR ban has been lifted if you are outside the Enhanced Class B airspace or in Alaska. Also, no flying over stadiums this weekend.

From the FAA definitions, for the non-pilots, like me:

2. CLASS B (formerly TCA Terminal Control Area)
   Generally, that airspace from the surface to 10,000 feet mean sea level (MSL) surrounding the nation’s busiest airports in terms of airport operations or passenger enplanements. The configuration of each Class B airspace area is individually tailored and consists of a surface area and two or more layers (some Class B airspace areas resemble upside down wedding cakes), and is designed to contain all published instrument procedures once an aircraft enters the airspace. An ATC clearance is required for all aircraft to operate in the area, and all aircraft that are so cleared receive separation services within the airspace. The cloud clearance requirement for VFR operations is “clear of clouds.”

Under the NOTAMs, this airspace, enhanced Class B, has been extended to infinity. Considering the amount of sky this includes over the metropolitan areas, it’s no wonder a lot of folks aren’t getting airborne right now.

[CookingWithGas]

This article from the Washington Post (available online for two weeks) says

A restriction on general-aviation flights around Washington is crippling more than a dozen of the region’s general-aviation airports, which serve as little economic engines to parts of Maryland and Virginia.

Last week the U.S. Department of Transportation temporarily restricted all general-aviation flights within 25 nautical miles (about 29 miles) of Reagan National and John F. Kennedy International in New York.

[Johnny_L.A]

This is getting rediculous.

Actually, my spelling is ridiculous!

From FAQ at the FAA website (emphasis mine):

On Sept. 20, the FAA authorized limited return of general aviation Part 91 visual flight rules operations, or VFR, flights. VFR flights are now permitted for U.S. registered aircraft outside of “enhanced” Class B airspace; that is, Class B airspace within the lateral limits from the surface to infinity. No VFR flights are permitted over the top of Class B airspace, nor are VFR operations permitted from airports and airspace “under the shelf” of Class B airspace. In addition, several Temporary Flight Restrictions remain in effect. Civil aircraft VFR flight training operations are prohibited. Restrictions continue to apply to Part 91 VFR operations for banner towing, news reporting, traffic watch, airship/blimps, and Part 91 sightseeing.

Authorized operations outside of enhanced Class B airspace include aircraft maintenance repositioning, Civil Air Patrol, balloons, gliders, manufacturer production flight tests, mapping/photography missions, pipeline/powerline inspections, seaplanes, skydiving, wildlife management operations, and ultralights.

[Morbo]

I tried to go skydiving last Saturday, and was told by the guys at the airfield that the FAA told them if anyone jumps out of their plane, they can expect an F-16 in freefall with them. Yikes!!

[Broomstick]

I heard “jumpers away!” for the first time in two weeks on the scanner last night - looks like the gravity-powered are back in the air.

By the looks of it, myself as well - as long as I keep my distance from Chicago and other selected areas.

[Grok]

I went flying in my Colt tonight, and was not shot down.

VFR has returned.

[Sam_Stone]

Nah, it’s just that the intercept pilots got one look at the Colt and laughed so hard they left you alone.

Just kidding. I actually like the Colt.

[Race_Bannon]

I don’t get this. According to the FAA snip that Johnny posted, it sounds like you can’t fly cross country to visit your aunt? But baloons and seaplanes are okay? How is this administered? What, an F-16’s gonna pull you over and ask “Are you inspecting pipelines? oh, okay, carry on”?

I’m glad I’m out of the habit of flying (for now), but I’d been planning to get a biennial this fall…

[KeithT]

From the AOPA site:

http://38.200.9.137/index.html#plain

For the most part, non-training Part 91 VFR is approved nationwide outside Enhanced Class B airspace and the Temporary Restricted Areas. Certain operations (including airship operations, banner towing, and news reporting remain off-limits.

Outside enhanced Class B, VFR training is limited to piston-powered single and multi-engine aircraft of 12,500 lbs or less gross weight , and unpowered aircraft (presumably balloons and gliders). Inside Class B, only flight training operations are authorized and must have a CFI on board.
Limited to piston-powered single and multi-engine aircraft and rotorcraft of 6,000 lbs or less gross weight.

Oh, and do keep a close watch on NOTAMs… talk to your FSS if you plan to go up anytime soon; restrictions seem to be changing on a daily basis, and even in this thread there seems to be a lot of confusion.

[sub]Talk about strange coincidences… about the time the FAA first approved VFR operations, it began raining in my vicinity. Go figure.[/sub]