On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse, known as the “Great North American Eclipse” will transit a narrow path of totality from southwest to northeast across thirteen U.S. states.  The eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada.  The total solar eclipse will begin over the South Pacific Ocean.    The eclipse path will impact the United States from approximately 1830-1940 UTC. 

The purpose of this notice is to inform airmen of the possible impacts to air traffic and airports along the eclipse path during the period April 7, 2024, 1000 UTC through April 10, 2024, 0400 UTC.

GENERAL

Aircraft should be prepared for potential airborne holding, reroutes, and/or Expect Departure Clearance Times (EDCTs) that may be issued for all domestic IFR arrivals and departures.  Traffic Management Initiatives (TMIs) are possible.  In order to assist FBOs with staging aircraft and to ease ramp congestion, aircraft departing airports along the eclipse path are strongly encouraged to coordinate their departure times as early as possible.

There may be a higher traffic volume than normal anticipated at airports along the path of the eclipse.  Traffic should anticipate delays during peak traffic periods.  Parking may be limited – particularly at the smaller, uncontrolled airports.  There could be a delay with issuance of IFR departure clearances.  VFR departures may also expect delays for airborne pickup of IFR clearance within 50 NM either side of the path of the eclipse.

Practice approaches, touch-and-goes, flight following services and pilot training operations at airports in the path of the eclipse may be extremely limited and possibly prohibited during this time period,

Airmen should check NOTAMs carefully for special procedures/restrictions that may be in place at affected airports.  Specific NOTAM procedures may be revised, and arrivals to some airports possibly restricted so please review NOTAMs frequently to verify you have the current information.

For further information see the NASA Science website.

SECURITY PROVISIONS

Special security provisions may be in effect for this event, including, but not limited to, Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs), two-way radio communications, and discrete transponder requirements.  

Specific NOTAM procedures may be revised, and arrivals to some airports possibly restricted so please review NOTAMs frequently to verify you have the current information.

TFRs are normally disseminated via FDC NOTAM, 3 to 5 days prior to the event.  Once published, text and graphic depictions of the restrictions may be accessed at: http://tfr.faa.gov/tfr2/list.html.

VFR OPERATIONS

Due to the high volume of traffic along the eclipse path, VFR arrivals can expect lengthy delays during peak traffic periods.  In addition, VFR departures should not expect to obtain an airborne pickup of IFR clearance within 50 NM either side of the path of the eclipse.

AFFECTED AIRPORTS

The following public use and DoD airports within lie within 50 NM either side of the path of the eclipse within Houston ARTCC.