A TFR, or temporary flight restriction, is a NOTAM that closes or limits a defined block of airspace for a set time, for reasons such as a presidential visit, a wildfire, an air show, a stadium event or a space launch. TFRs are issued under 14 CFR 91.137 through 91.145 and the special security instructions of 14 CFR 99.7. Check tfr.faa.gov, the NOTAMs for your route and an official briefing before every flight, because entering an active TFR can lead to an intercept, certificate action and, in national defense airspace, criminal charges.
This guide is part of our Airspace and Weather guide. Checking NOTAMs and TFRs is part of the preflight action required by 14 CFR 91.103, which the NWKRAFT memory aid helps you cover.
What a TFR is
A TFR is issued as a Flight Data Center (FDC) NOTAM, the type the AIM (5-1-3) says is used to disseminate regulatory information. Each one defines an area, usually a radius around a point in nautical miles, plus the altitudes, the effective times, who may operate inside and the facility to contact. It is laid on top of the normal airspace classes for the times in the NOTAM. The FAA’s Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge notes that TFRs have become much more common since September 11, 2001, that incursions have led to security investigations and certificate suspensions, and that knowing about TFRs on your route is the pilot’s responsibility.
The regulations behind TFRs
| Rule | What it covers |
|---|---|
| 91.137 | Disasters and hazards: (a)(1) hazards on the surface such as toxic spills; (a)(2) disaster relief, including firefighting aircraft; (a)(3) incidents or events that would draw sightseers |
| 91.138 | National disaster areas in Hawaii |
| 91.139 | Emergency air traffic rules |
| 91.141 | The President, Vice President and other public figures |
| 91.143 | Space flight operations |
| 91.144 | Barometric pressure above 31 inches of mercury |
| 91.145 | Aerial demonstrations and major sporting events, such as the Blue Angels, the Thunderbirds or the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta |
| 99.7 | Special security instructions in national defense airspace, including stadium events and the Washington, DC area |
Common types of TFRs
Presidential and VIP TFRs
VIP TFRs are issued under 91.141, classified as national defense airspace, and replaced when schedules change. The larger ones have two parts:
- Inner core: all flight is prohibited except approved law enforcement, military support, approved air ambulance flights and certain scheduled air carriers.
- Outer ring: you may only arrive at or depart from local airports, and ATC may approve transits workload permitting. You need an IFR or filed VFR flight plan, a discrete transponder code squawked before departure and at all times inside, and two-way radio contact with ATC. No loitering.
These NOTAMs also ban flight training, practice instrument approaches, aerobatics, glider and parachute operations, banner towing, sightseeing and drones inside the TFR. In the presidential TFRs listed in October 2026, inner cores were 10 to 12 NM in radius and outer rings reached 30 to 32 NM, from the surface to 17,999 feet MSL, while a non-presidential VIP TFR used 5 NM circles.
Stadium TFRs
One standing security NOTAM, FDC 0/0367, issued under 99.7, covers major stadium events nationwide. It prohibits flight within 3 NM, up to and including 3,000 feet AGL, of any stadium or venue with 30,000 or more seats during a regular or postseason Major League Baseball, National Football League or NCAA Division One football game, or a NASCAR Cup, IndyCar or Champ Series race (qualifying and pre-race events excluded). It runs from 1 hour before the scheduled start until 1 hour after the event ends. ATC may still authorize flights for operational or safety purposes, such as arrivals and departures at an airport it designates, and those aircraft must squawk an assigned code and stay in two-way radio contact.
The NOTAM defines qualifying events in general terms instead of listing games, so you need to know the schedules near your route. AIM 5-1-1 also notes that open-duration special security instructions are briefed only on request, so ask for them.
Air shows and other aerial demonstrations
Under 91.145 the FAA issues TFRs for aerial demonstrations and major sporting events, normally at least 30 days in advance. The rule says an aerial demonstration TFR is normally limited to a 5 NM radius and 17,000 feet MSL for high-performance aircraft (13,000 feet above the surface for some parachute operations), and a major sporting event to 3 NM and 2,500 feet above the surface. Real NOTAMs vary: in October 2026, one Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta TFR was 4 NM from the surface to 8,000 feet MSL, and a San Francisco air show TFR was 5 NM up to 15,000 feet MSL.
Wildfires and other disasters
Firefighting TFRs fall under 91.137(a)(2). Unless you are part of the relief effort, you may enter only in limited cases, such as under an ATC-approved IFR flight plan, flying directly to or from an airport inside the area, or when weather or terrain makes going above or around impracticable. In the last two cases you must also notify the facility named in the NOTAM, not hamper the relief work, and not fly to observe the fire. Under 91.137(a)(1), used for surface hazards, only aircraft working the emergency under the direction of the official in charge may enter. The AIM says these areas are normally within 3 NM and 2,000 feet above the surface, but one firefighting TFR on the FAA list in October 2026 ran from the surface to 12,500 feet MSL, and some were drawn as polygons rather than circles.
Space operations
Under 91.143, no U.S.-registered aircraft, and no pilot flying on an FAA certificate, may enter an area designated by NOTAM for space flight operations unless ATC authorizes it. The AIM’s sample NOTAM covers a 30 NM radius from the surface to unlimited.
Drone-only entries and permanent security areas
Some entries on the FAA list restrict only unmanned aircraft; the “UAS Public Gathering” TFRs, for example, prohibit drones. If you also fly under Part 107, see our drone pilot guide. The list also shows permanent security airspace such as the Washington, DC, Special Flight Rules Area and Flight Restricted Zone, which are governed by 14 CFR part 93 and 99.7 NOTAMs. Before flying VFR within 60 NM of the DCA VOR/DME, you must complete the FAA’s free Special Awareness Training (91.161).
How to check for TFRs before every flight
- Look at the map. tfr.faa.gov shows current TFRs and links to each NOTAM. On October 8, 2026 it listed 91 TFRs, sorted into types such as Security, VIP, Hazards, Air Shows/Sports and UAS Public Gathering.
- Search the NOTAMs. Use the FAA’s NOTAM Search for your departure, destination and route, including the ARTCC NOTAMs the AIM tells you to review. Security NOTAMs are filed under the location KZZZ.
- Get an official briefing. Flight Service is at 1800wxbrief.com or 1-800-WX-BRIEF (1-800-992-7433). Ask specifically for TFRs and special security instructions.
- Use your EFB, but read the NOTAM. Graphics help, but the NOTAM text defines the times, altitudes and exceptions. See our GPS and EFB guide.
- Check again before you go and en route. TFRs can be issued or changed at any time, some effective immediately, so recheck before departure and ask ATC or Flight Service about new ones on a long flight. Flight following does not make avoiding TFRs ATC’s job.
The rule behind all of this is 14 CFR 91.103: before every flight, become familiar with all available information concerning that flight, which the AIM says includes NOTAMs. Build the check into your cross-country planning, and draw any TFR near your route on your sectional chart.
What happens if you fly into a TFR
If a controller sees you enter restricted airspace, you may hear “possible pilot deviation, advise you contact (facility) at (telephone number).” The security NOTAMs list what can follow:
- You may be intercepted, detained and interviewed by law enforcement or security personnel.
- The FAA may take administrative action, including civil penalties and suspension or revocation of your certificates.
- The government may pursue criminal charges, including under 49 U.S.C. 46307.
- The government may use deadly force against an aircraft it determines poses an imminent security threat.
TFRs issued under part 91 carry the force of the regulation behind them: 91.137, 91.141, 91.143 and 91.145 each prohibit operating in the designated area except under the conditions the rule or the NOTAM sets out.
If you are intercepted
AIM 5-6-13 says an intercepted aircraft must, without delay:
- Follow the instructions given by the intercepting aircraft through visual signals, signaling devices or radio.
- Try to contact the interceptor or ATC on 121.5 or 243.0 MHz, giving your identity, position and the nature of your flight.
- If you have a transponder, squawk 7700 unless ATC tells you otherwise.
- Keep complying with the interceptor until you are positively released.
| Interceptor does this | It means | You respond |
|---|---|---|
| Rocks its wings from slightly above, ahead and normally to your left, then makes a slow level turn (at night, also flashes its navigation lights) | You have been intercepted. Follow me. | Rock your wings and follow (at night, also flash your navigation lights) |
| Abrupt break-away: a climbing turn of 90 degrees or more without crossing your path | You may proceed. | Rock your wings |
| Circles the airport, lowers its landing gear and overflies the runway in the landing direction | Land at this airport. | Lower your gear if retractable, follow, and land if the runway is safe |
If the interceptor crosses your flight path from slightly below, rocking its wings by day or flashing its lights at night, turn in the direction it is going; flares mean comply immediately and leave the area. If a helicopter intercepts you, do not fall into trail directly behind it.
The AIM highly encourages every pilot to keep a listening watch on 121.5 MHz. If your airplane has a second radio, leaving it on 121.5 during cross-country flights costs nothing, and it is the frequency an interceptor or ATC will use to reach you.
Gear for TFR planning
What you'll need
The rules, the Chart Supplement's special notices and the tools to plot a restriction on your chart.
Frequently asked questions
What does TFR mean in aviation?
Temporary flight restriction: an FDC NOTAM that restricts aircraft operations in a defined area for a limited time. TFRs are issued under 14 CFR 91.137 through 91.145 and the special security instructions of 14 CFR 99.7.
How do I check for TFRs before a flight?
Check tfr.faa.gov, search the NOTAMs for your route on the FAA NOTAM Search site, and get an official briefing from Flight Service, asking specifically for TFRs and special security instructions. Recheck just before departure, because TFRs can be issued or changed at any time.
How big is a stadium TFR?
3 NM around the venue, up to and including 3,000 feet AGL, from 1 hour before the scheduled start until 1 hour after the end of qualifying MLB, NFL, NCAA Division One football and major auto racing events at venues with 30,000 or more seats.
What happens if you fly into a TFR?
Expect a possible pilot deviation report. Security TFR NOTAMs warn that violators may be intercepted, detained and interviewed, face FAA civil penalties and certificate suspension or revocation, and face criminal charges, and that the government may use deadly force against an aircraft it determines poses an imminent security threat.
What should I do if I am intercepted?
Follow the interceptor’s instructions without delay, call on 121.5 or 243.0 MHz with your identity, position and the nature of your flight, squawk 7700 unless ATC says otherwise, and keep complying until you are released (AIM 5-6-13).
Do TFRs apply to drones?
Most do. The stadium and VIP NOTAMs explicitly cover unmanned aircraft, and some entries on the FAA’s TFR list, such as UAS Public Gathering restrictions, apply only to drones.