The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Park Service (NPS) announce the availability of the draft voluntary agreement for commercial air tour operations at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park (Agreement). The Agreement will be available for public review and comment from April 17, 2020 through May 20, 2020.
The applicant proposes to operate a commercial tour business out of Shannon Airport, in Spotsylvania County, adjacent to Fredericksburg Battlefield. Up for review is the voluntary agreement that will set the conditions for the conduct of tours over lands within Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania NMP. The voluntary agreements establish conditions for the conduct of air tours over the Park. These conditions include routes and altitudes, number of operations, type of aircraft, hours of operations, and reporting requirements.
The FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 allows the FAA and NPS to enter into a voluntary agreement with commercial air tour operators as an alternative to an Air Tour Management Plan. A voluntary agreement manages commercial air tour operations over the national park unit and addresses management issues necessary to protect the resources and visitor use of the park without compromising aviation safety or the air traffic control system. The FAA and NPS have decided to pursue voluntary agreements, as an alternative to an ATMP, at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park.
To review and comment on the draft agreement, visit:
https://parkplanning.nps.gov/FRSPAirTourAgreement
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
