TFR's can pop up anywhere and at almost any time. All pilots should contact Flight Service prior to departure and it is a real good idea to get Flight Following service from ATC while en route to your destination. ATC would have been able to warn the pilot of the TFR.
Dave
...just do add to what Dave said: If you can't receive flight following, it's ALWAYS possible to call Flight Watch enroute on 122.0 for an update in flight. Unfortunately, flight following VFR isn't always an option due to controller workload. There are even times where a pilot will check NOTAMS before, right at, and on departure of any TFR activity and can still bust a TFR. If you'd like an example, take Bill Cox from Plane & Pilot Magazine.
A few months ago, Bill Cox (From Plane & Pilot Magazine) had a TFR "violation." He had checked the NOTAMS before flight, updated in flight, and still was forced down. Seems the press didn't take off on schedule and the TFR had expired... but no one told the guys with the guns.
If you want some great details on Bill's story click this link and check out his article:
Plane & Pilot Magazine | X-Country Log: A Chance MeetingThis "checking" of information regarding TFR's directly falls under FAR §91.103: "Each pilot in command shall, before beginning a flight, become familiar with all available information concerning that flight."
There are all sorts of situations so it is not always the pilots fault, but many times it is. Just goes to show nowadays to ALWAYS check NOTAMS and TFR info, even if nothing is going on. ...one could go up in a flash. It also is scary on the pilots end when you are doing EVERYTHING you possibly can to stay informed and still are confronted with F16 interception.
AOPA does an INCREDIBLE job of e-mailing their members TFR notices and updates for their area and I commend them for that. Non-AOPA members can also use the
official FAA TFR website. It is up to us to eliminate the incidences of violations. AOPA has been doing a good job in making its members aware of the problem.
Just to note...I received 2 e-mails from AOPA in my inbox, the first one regarding the TFR on Tuesday and an explanation in easy-to-read english. I later received an "update" and in the first line of the e-mail knew (within 5 seconds) the TFR had been moved a day later due to what I mentioned earlier. AOPA is a real asset to GA in the United States and I have a tremendous amount of respect for them.
Feel free to print out a copy of the flyer and post it at your FBO. I think it would go a long way to reinforcing that message and reaching anyone who is not plugged into AOPA.
It's a big sky out there....always check NOTAMS (especially for TFRs) and stay safe [and legal!].
Regards & thanks for reading one of my longest posts here (I have a strong feeling on the subject),
JasonP.S. Below is a small excerpt from a pilot-made flyer. I appreciate this pilot's time to make it and I believe we can all benefit from it. Even the most seasoned pilots should see this. These days, a mistake in the air could cause some serious problems for pilots and their licenses.
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WARNING: YOU COULD LOSE YOUR LICENSE!Entering a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) area could result in the suspension or forfeiture of your license, civil as well as criminal charges.
Not only are the personal consequences for a violation severe, each violation gives General Aviation and your fellow pilots a bad reputation in the community. As a pilot YOU are responsible for determining if your flight might violate a TFR.
"Each pilot in command shall, before beginning a flight, become familiar with all available information concerning that flight."
-- FAR§ 91.103“I didn’t know” will not work as a defense when you are face down on the tarmac being questioned by the Secret Service.
Call your local Flight Service Station every time before you fly! 1-800-WX-BRIEF Ask the briefer about any TFRs or NOTAMS for your route of flight! It’s fast, simple and will save you and your fellow pilots from serious consequences.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO!
1-800-WX-BRIEF
