Atlanta arena is ‘no-fly zone’ for drones ahead of Super Bowl

The airspace around Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta is a “No Drone Zone” ahead of the 53rd Super Bowl, on the 3 February 2019, and during three days leading up to the event.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will establish a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) on game day that will prohibit drones within a 30-nautical-mile radius of the stadium up to 17,999 feet in altitude. The TFR will be in place from 17:30 to 23:59 eastern time. Some general aviation operations may be allowed within the TFR provided they meet specific security and operational requirements.

The FAA also will restrict drone flights for one nautical mile around the stadium up to an altitude of 1,000 feet on the 31 January and 1-2 of February 2019, 10:00 to 23:59 eastern time, and on 3 February 2019 from 10:00 to 17:30, at which time the TFR for the game takes effect.  Further details are available in the drone TFRs. 

Pilots and drone operators who enter the TFRs without permission could face civil penalties that exceed US$20,000 and potential criminal prosecution for flying drones in the TFR. 

Detailed information for general aviation and drone pilots is available at FAA’s Super Bowl LIII webpage.

Drone pilots should check the FAA’s B4UFly app to determine when and where they may fly. To highlight the “No Drone Zone”, the FAA produced a 20-second video (below) encouraging Super Bowl fans to bring their lucky jerseys, face paint and team spirit to the game – but leave their drones at home – because the stadium and the area around it is a ‘No Drone Zone’.