The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a notice to a number of its service units (Air Traffic Services, Mission Support Services, System Operations Services, Safety and Technical Training and all associated air traffic facilities) regarding Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR) for uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS).
The notice, which is effective from August 7, 2025 until January 22, 2026, applies to TFRs for UAS operations over eligible large public gatherings at the request of law enforcement.
The FAA states in the notice that to be eligible for a TFR, large public gatherings hosted in a stadium or other venue must:
- Be hosted in a stadium or venue that has previously hosted events qualifying for the application of special security instructions in accordance with Public Law 108-199, section 521, and the venue is not enclosed.
- Have an estimated attendance of at least 30,000 people.
- Be advertised in the public domain.
To be eligible for a TFR, large public gatherings hosted in a venue other than a stadium or other venue described above must:
- Have an estimated attendance of at least 100,000 people.
- Be primarily outdoors.
- Have a defined and static geographical boundary.
- Be advertised in the public domain.
Credentialed law enforcement organisations of the federal government or a state, local, tribal, or territorial government may request a TFR and the request must be submitted not less than 30 calendar days prior to the event.
The FAA notice states that when a NOTAM has been issued establishing a TFR, no person may operate a UAS within the TFR unless the Administrator authorises the operation for operational, safety, security or compliance oversight purposes; or the the aircraft operation is conducted with the approval of the eligible entity who requested the TFR.
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