FAA restriction grounds drones, limits private flights during Trump visit

A temporary flight restriction is in effect around Palm Beach, covering a 30-nautical-mile radius and extending up to 17,999 feet, with tighter limits inside a 10-nautical-mile inner ring. The FAA-issued NOTAM began at 7:59 p.m. Friday and is scheduled to end at 12:30 p.m. Sunday.

Drones are grounded and many private flights are restricted within the outer circle, with specific requirements for flights operating in the restricted airspace. Aircraft may be allowed to operate only under authorization and with appropriate planning and communication with air traffic control.

The restriction area stretches from southern Martin County toward the Pompano Beach area, including communities such as Jupiter, West Palm Beach, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach and Boca Raton. The outer boundary roughly reaches 34.5 miles from its center.

Security measures around Mar-a-Lago and Palm Beach International Airport are heightened, with reports of advanced radar, air-defense equipment, and deployment of launchers noted by local outlets. The Secret Service said it is operating in a heightened threat environment, though no specific threat was identified.

Private and general aviation face tighter controls, with a prohibition on many general aviation flights inside the 10-nautical-mile inner ring that encompasses Palm Beach International and Palm Beach County Park airports. Arrivals and departures may be allowed at two small exclusion areas for Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport and Stuart’s Witham Field, depending on authorization and procedures.

Airlines are not automatically halted; scheduled commercial passenger and cargo flights may operate within the inner area if they meet security requirements and are at or from eligible airports. Passengers are advised to check with their airline for flight information, as the FAA notice does not specify cancellations or delays.

Pilots planning to operate in the broader restricted area must have an active instrument flight rules plan or filed visual flight rules plan, an assigned transponder code, and two-way radio contact with air traffic control. Some flights may be authorized by controllers when workload allows, but loitering in the area is prohibited.