With the competitors in Super Bowl LVI to be determined in the NFL’s two conference championship games this weekend, the FAA has released its plans for the big game which will take place in Los Angeles on February 13. The days bracketing the game typically represent the busiest period of the year on the private aviation calendar, with hundreds of flights descending on the host city and Las Vegas, which also receives a big boost in traffic.
To ensure ground parking availability in those areas during Super Bowl LVI week, 13 airports have instituted a ramp reservation program for all arrivals and departures from February 10 through 15, including drop-and-goes. Those airports include Los Angeles International (KLAX), Jack Northrop-Hawthorne (KHHR), Van Nuys (KVNY), Hollywood-Burbank (KBUR), Long Beach-Daugherty Field (KLGB), John Wayne/Orange County (KSNA), Ontario International (KONT), San Bernardino International (KSBD), Palm Springs International (KPSP), San Diego International (KSAN), Las Vegas Harry Reid International (KLAS), Henderson Executive (KHND), and North Las Vegas (KVGT). Operators are requested to contact their preferred FBO at their intended airport to make reservations.
In addition, all IFR jet and turboprop aircraft arriving at KLAX, KBUR, KVNY, KLGB, KSNA, KHHR, KSMO, KONT, KSBD, KPSP, KSAN, KCNO, and KTOA during that period will be required to file flight plans at least six hours, but not more than 22 hours, before the proposed time of departure and must use specific flight paths.
On gameday, the FAA will also institute a TFR enforced by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (Norad) beginning at about 2:30 p.m. PST, which will cover a ring extending 30 nm from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood to FL180. It is scheduled to terminate at 8:30 p.m. but may be extended if necessary. Drones and other ROVs are also excluded from entering the TFR, and any pilots or operators who enter the TFR without permission can face criminal prosecution and heavy fines.