Delaware State University flight students impacted by President Biden’s visits to home state

By Craig Anderson
Posted 4/11/21

CHESWOLD — Four of six aerial practice areas in the skies above Delaware Airpark are closed each time President Joe Biden flies home to Delaware.

During those times, fledgling pilots in the …

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Delaware State University flight students impacted by President Biden’s visits to home state

Posted

CHESWOLD — Four of six aerial practice areas in the skies above Delaware Airpark are closed each time President Joe Biden flies home to Delaware.

During those times, fledgling pilots in the Delaware State University Aviation Program, as well as other aviators leaving the airpark’s runway, are restricted to flying no more than 2 miles north of the airport.

Aircraft can fly to the southwest of the airport, however, as two practice areas remain open in that area.

DSU Aviation Program Chief Flight Instructor John Sherman said temporary flight restriction orders have affected the Delaware Airpark on March 6-8, March 11 and March 26-28. The U.S. Secret Service issues the TFRs, in conjunction with the Federal Aviation Administration.

The TFRs include aircraft and drones, the Secret Service said.

While the altered flight paths have been a hindrance at times, Mr. Sherman said their impact hasn’t been overwhelming to this point. There are 70 students taking part in the Aviation Program, utilizing 21 aircraft.

“If he’s going to go home every week, it’s an issue,” Mr. Sherman said. “If it’s once a month, we can work around it.”

Upcoming TFR notifications are supposed to come at least two days before going into effect, but Mr. Sherman said that’s not always the case.

“We’re supposed to get 48 hours’ notice, but it doesn’t always happen. It could be less,” he said. “It could be 24 hours. So far, that’s the least amount of time it’s been.”

Though the limitations aren’t always ideal, Mr. Sherman said it isn’t oppressive to operations either.

“I wish he’d go to Camp David more, and he has recently, but I do understand,” Mr. Sherman said, with a laugh.

“The Secret Service has been very good in working with us beforehand to ready for this. The communications are all set up to make it work, and I feel good about that.”

The Secret Service declined to comment on any specifics regarding restricted air-space operations, but did issue a statement that read: “In order to maintain the operational security required by the U.S. Secret Service mission, the agency does not discuss the means and methods used to conduct protective operations. The Secret Service will continue to communicate temporary flight restrictions as necessary to the public within the impacted area.”

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