Barack Obama's homecoming adds flight limits

February 12, 2009 10:02 PM

Small plane pilots flying near Chicago this weekend will need to learn the ways of Washington: Be well aware of flight restrictions for miles around a sitting president or be prepared to be escorted from the area by an F-16 fighter jet.

Starting before Friday evening's arrival of President Barack Obama and lasting until his planned departure Monday, temporary flight restrictions will be in place for an area 60 nautical miles wide, centered roughly on his South Side home.

Such restrictions are commonplace over Washington and have also been used above other presidential retreats, including former President George Bush's ranch near Crawford, Texas.

Aviation sources say the Secret Service will evaluate the weekend to see if restrictions should be expanded or reduced in the future. Obama and his family are expected to arrive at O'Hare International Airport as part of their first trip to Chicago on Air Force One.

The restrictions do not affect commercial airlines, but they will dramatically affect small-plane pilots, including those who might enjoy a casual flight along the lakefront.

Private aircraft will still be able to use Midway Airport, but the rules require significant advanced planning and security provisions that general aviation pilots typically have not had to follow until now, aviation officials said.

"You can get into Midway, which is about 2 miles inside the no-fly zone. But it will take a lot of work to make that happen," said Chris Dancy, spokesman for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.

A no-fly zone with a 10-mile radius will be in place, with exceptions allowed for commercial service as well as law enforcement, military and air ambulance flights.

Those flying in the larger restricted space will need to submit applications at least 48 hours in advance and will be subject to searches not typically required for small planes. Three area airports outside the boundaries have been designated for planes to land and have pilots and passengers screened before continuing into the area.

Controllers at Midway predicted the measures will reduce the number of general aviation flights to the Southwest Side airport.

Rob Mark, a Chicago-area flight instructor and former airline pilot, said pilots he has talked to about the restrictions are frustrated by the inconvenience they will create. "You have to protect the president, but I think this is a little silly," he said.

Full Story