President Obama is coming back to Alaska. But only for a few hours.
Aviators in Southcentral Alaska are being asked to observe a temporary flight restriction Saturday evening, between 4:00 and 7:15 p.m. According to a newsletter from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, the restrictions are due to a presidential visit.
A notice to airmen from the Federal Aviation Administration’s says planes within a seven mile radius of Ted Stevens Airport are prohibited from operating. There is an exception for law enforcement, emergency medical, and scheduled commercial flights.
Pilots flying beyond the seven mile “inner core” and a 30 mile radius outer ring are asked to limit operations as much as possible, and stay in close contact with air traffic control.
Obama is visiting Asia next week, where he’s expected to become the first sitting president to tour the Japanese city of Hiroshima. It is normal during presidential visits to Asia for Air Force One to stop in Alaska for refueling.
33 public use airports will be affected by the temporary restrictions, stretching from Willow down to Hope.
Zachariah Hughes reports on city & state politics, arts & culture, drugs, and military affairs in Anchorage and South Central Alaska.
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