Aeronautics Student Publications
Document Type
Poster
Publication Title
Northrop Grumman Engineering & Science Student Design Showcase
Abstract
Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) are temporary airspace limitations issued to protect sensitive operations, events, and public safety within the United States and Territories National Airspace System (NAS). Despite widespread dissemination of TFR information, violations continue to occur. This study examined the relationship between the monthly number of active TFRs, total aircraft operations, and TFR violations from 2017 to 2021. A quantitative, non-experimental correlational design was used to analyze publicly available Federal Aviation Administration datasets, including TFR records and incident reports from the Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS). Descriptive statistics and Pearson product–moment correlations were calculated using 59 monthly observations. Results indicated a statistically significant positive relationship between the number of active TFRs and violations, while total aircraft operations were not significantly related to violation counts. These findings suggest that increased TFR frequency may contribute to greater pilot workload and airspace complexity, potentially increasing the likelihood of violations. The results highlight the importance of improving TFR communication methods, pilot training, and situational awareness tools to reduce unauthorized incursions within the NAS.
Publication Date
Spring 4-24-2026
Recommended Citation
Lipp, Mark; Yankova, Tea; Schnier, Hudson; Sharm, Vivek; and Wheeler, Brooke, "Aircraft Violations related to Temporary Flight Restrictions & Operations From 2017 to 2021" (2026). Aeronautics Student Publications. 38.
https://repository.fit.edu/aero_student/38