TFR (Temporary Flight Restriction)
Also known as: Temporary Flight Restriction
A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is a regulatory action that temporarily restricts aircraft operations within a defined area, usually for safety or security reasons such as wildfires, natural disasters, major public events or the movement of senior government officials.
Reviewed by AeroVigil Airspace Risk Desk · 2026-05-31
TFR is a term used most prominently in the United States, where the FAA establishes restrictions under its regulations to keep non-participating aircraft away from a hazard or protected activity. Common triggers include firefighting operations, disaster relief, space launches, large sporting events and security around government VIP movements. TFRs are published and disseminated through NOTAMs.
Each TFR specifies the geographic area, the altitudes affected, the effective times and the conditions under which aircraft may or may not operate. Entering an active restricted area without authorization can lead to enforcement action and, in security-related cases, an interception. Other jurisdictions achieve similar outcomes through restricted or danger areas and equivalent NOTAM-based mechanisms.
TFRs are short-lived and can appear with little notice, which makes them easy to miss during planning. AeroVigil surfaces flight-restriction notices among the official signals it ingests so operators can flag newly active restrictions that intersect a planned route.
Frequently asked
- What commonly causes a TFR?
- Typical causes include wildfires and firefighting flights, natural disasters, major public events, space launches and security around the movement of senior government officials.
- How are TFRs communicated to pilots?
- Temporary Flight Restrictions are published and distributed as NOTAMs, specifying the affected area, altitudes, effective times and operating conditions.
Related terms
Sources
- 14 CFR §§ 91.137–91.145 — Temporary flight restrictions
- FAA Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM)