FAA issues drone flight restrictions above Hudson Yards citing 'special security reasons'

The Federal Aviation Administration has issued temporary flight restrictions for airspace above New York’s Hudson Yards, near Teterboro Airport in New Jersey, until Jan. 19, for what it’s calling “special security reasons” after weeks of drone sightings in the mid-Atlantic.

A similar security restriction, called a “Notice to Airmen” (NOTAM) was put in place for 22 locations in New Jersey, including Jersey City, on Dec. 18. That list was reportedly expanded Dec. 30.

Of interest: FAA temporarily bans drones over NY’s ‘critical infrastructure sites.’ Here’s where

What are the flight restrictions above Hudson Yards?

According to the NOTAM, no unmanned aircraft system (UAS) operations are authorized in the area above Hudson Yards near Teterboro Airport except for actions related to national defense, homeland security, law enforcement, firefighting, search and rescue or disaster response. The temporary ban is set to lift just before midnight Jan. 19.

Other exceptions to the NOTAM include commercial UAS operations with a valid statement of work, or those conducted by parties with an approved special government interest airspace waiver. All approved operations must comply with other applicable federal aviation regulations.

Where is the flight restriction area above Hudson Yards?

The area of airspace above Hudson Yards defined by the NOTAM as an altitude of 400 feet above ground level, centered around the Teterboro VHF omnidirectional range (VOR)/distance-measuring equipment (DME) at 6.3 nautical miles, including a radius of 1 nautical mile.

Hudson Yards is located within the areas of West 30th St. to the south, 7th and 8th avenues to the east, West 43rd St. to the north and 12th Ave. to the west of Manhattan. Teterboro Airport is a general aviation relief airport in Bergen County, NJ.

FAA temporarily bans drone flights in Hudson Valley, NYC, Long Island

In December, the FAA also granted temporary restrictions over some of New York’s “critical infrastructure sites” as a precautionary measure, banning drone flights over the following areas:

• Glenwood Landing (two locations)

• New York City (two locations)

• Staten Island (two locations)

Contributing: USA TODAY Network NY Connect Team’s Emily Barnes and the Bergen Daily Record.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Drone flight restrictions above NY’s Hudson Yards issued by FAA