The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is gearing up for the upcoming Super Bowl 2023 by releasing guidelines that general aviation pilots should know.
This year’s Super Bowl is taking place at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Sunday, February 12, 2023.
Pilots should anticipate a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) in the Phoenix area on Sunday, February 12, 2023. Typical TFRs limit the availability of certain operations, including glider operations, flight training, and unmanned aerial system (UAS) operations.
The FAA said that it will release a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) about the procedures for the game and specific arrival and departure route requirements by the end of January 2023.
To minimize delays and ensure safety, the Department of Transportation advised that special air traffic procedures will be in effect for the following airports from February 8-13, 2023:
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
- Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (DVT)
- Phoenix Goodyear Airport (GYR)
- Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (IWA)
- Scottsdale Airport (SDL)
- Glendale Municipal Airport (GEU)
- Chandler Municipal Airport (CHD)
- Falcon Field Airport (FFZ)
The FAA will also publish a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) for Super Bowl LVII around the State Farm Stadium. The FAA expects the TFR will be active from 15:30-21:00 local time on February 12, 2023.
The FAA said that the TFR will have a 10-nautical-mile inner core and a 30-nautical-mile outer ring.
Lastly, the FAA stated that the Super Bowl LVII is strictly a No Drone Zone. As a designated National Security Special Event, additional unmanned aircraft restrictions will be in place before, during and after the game.
Additional and more specific guidelines are published on the FAA Super Bowl page, and the DOT’s special traffic management procedures page.