FAA declares no-drone zones for Papal visit
Bart Jansen, USA TODAY
Drones are unwelcome as Pope Francis visits his flock this month in New York, Philadelphia andWashington, D.C.
The Federal Aviation Administration designated all three areas no-drone zones to prohibit remote-controlled flights from Sept. 22 through Sept. 27. The prohibition is part of broader restrictions to limit unscheduled flights around the Pope’s various events as a security precaution.
“If you plan to attend any of the Papal visit events, please leave your drone at home,” FAA Administrator Michael Huerta said. “Anyone flying a drone within the designated restricted areas may be subject to civil and criminal charges.”
Drones are typically prohibited at large gatherings such as sporting events, and flight restrictions already blanket the Capital for national-security reasons.
But the D.C. no-fly zone has been expanded to aircraft at small airports in Maryland such as Potomac Airfield, College Park and Washington Executive/Hyde Park.
The Pope is scheduled to arrive Sept. 22 at Joint Base Andrews near Washington and then meet with President Obama at the White House the next day. The Pope will speak Sept. 24 to a joint session of Congress.
He meets Sept. 25 with the United Nations General Assembly, followed a procession through Central Park and a Mass at Madison Square Garden.
From New York’s John F. Kennedy airport, the Pope travels Sept. 26 to Philadelphia, where he will hold Mass is at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, and visitIndependence Hall.
He departs for Rome the next day.
