yee@trident.arc.nasa.gov (Peter E. Yee) (03/21/90)
Bruce Buckingham March 20, 1990
KSC RELEASE NO. 44 - 90
GENERAL AVIATORS RESTRICTED FROM KSC AIRSPACE DURING STS-31
LAUNCH
The airspace immediately surrounding Kennedy Space Center
will be limited to official aircraft only and will be off-limits
to general aviation pilots prior to and during the launch of the
Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-31, now targeted for April
12, 1990.
NOTAMS must be checked by pilots prior to flights near the
KSC area. Pilots are warned that violations of the restricted
airspaces may result in serious penalties, including suspension
or revocation of pilot privileges.
Official aircraft supporting the launch will be in the air.
Pilots must be aware that wandering into a restricted area is not
only forbidden, but will also create a safety hazard to support
aircraft and the errant pilot.
Anyone wishing to view the launch from the air should stay
well west of the Indian River. Pilots should be advised that the
airspace in that area is expected to be extremely congested with
both controlled and uncontrolled aircraft.
Pilots should also be aware of the solid rocket booster
(SRB) exhaust cloud that occurs after launch. They should stay at
least five miles away from that cloud, even if it drifts out of
the restricted area. Research aircraft will be flying into and
out of the cloud, and visibility will be limited.
In general, the airspace restrictions cover a variety of air
ranges from now through launch. In addition to the normal
restrictions over KSC and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the
launch will require that all private aircraft stay out of an area
roughly bounded by the west side of the Indian River on the west,
the Trident Basin (State Road 528 area) on the south, slightly
north of Haulover Canal, and three miles out into the Atlantic on
the east. The restrictions are "surface to unlimited." These
launch-specific restrictions begin three hours before launch.
Pilots should consult the most recent edition of the
Jacksonville Sectional Aeronautical Chart. In addition, they
should contact the St. Petersburg Flight Service Station at 1-
800-99-27433 (1-800-WX-BRIEF). Advisories will be available from
the Patrick Approach Control (VHF 119.25 megahertz), Space Center
Executive Airport Tower (TIX) (VHF 118.9 megahertz), or the NASA
Tower (126.3 megahertz).
Pilots should also refer to the current Patrick Air Force
Base release on restricted airspace.