Violations of temporary flight restrictions and air defense identification zones : an analysis of airspace violations and pilot report data

PDFTech ReportNASA/CR-2005-213923Airspace (Aeronautics)National securityHuman factorsHuman errorError analysisUnited StatesUnited States. National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationZuschlag, MichaelJohn A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.)Langley Research CenterAGR-SAFETY AND SECURITY-SAFETY AND SECURITYNTL-AVIATION-Aviation Safety/AirworthinessNTL-AVIATION-Aviation Human FactorsNTL-SAFETY AND SECURITY-Human FactorsNTL-SAFETY AND SECURITY-Aviation Safety/AirworthinessNTL-SAFETY AND SECURITY-SAFETY AND SECURITYVolpe National Transportation Systems Center, Technical Reference CenterThis document provides the results from a study into the apparent factors and causes of violations of restricted airspace, particularly temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) and air defense identification zones (ADIZs). By illuminating the reasons for these violations, this study aims to take the first step towards reducing them. The study assesses the basic characteristics of restricted airspace violations as well as the probable causes and factors contributing to violations. Results from the study imply most violations occur where the restriction has been in place for a significant amount of time prior to the violation. Additionally, the study results imply most violations are not due to the pilot simply being unaware of the airspace at the time of violation. In most violations, pilots are aware of the presence of the restricted airspace but have incorrect information about it, namely, its exact boundaries or procedures for authorized penetration. These results imply that the best means to reduce violations of restricted airspace is to improve the effectiveness of providing pilots the details required to avoid the airspace