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Old 19th July 2014 | 01:50
  #400 (permalink)  
tdracer
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Joined: Jul 2013
: Non-Aircrew
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From: Everett, WA
I've often wondered just how much attention the run-of-the-mill pilot pays to a NOTAM. This is based on years of experience with amateur rocketry, where we are required to file for a waiver and get a NOTAM for our launches (anything over 3.3 lbs. and/or 4.2 oz. propellant). We often joke that NOTAM is really code for "something interesting, go take a look" because I can't recall a launch where we didn't have to suspend launch activities due to an aircraft within the NOTAM/waiver area/altitude.
More than once, the offending aircraft have actually orbited our location before apparently becoming bored and continuing on - this is with waiver altitudes as high as 40k (some events have waivers over 100k).
Usually, the offending aircraft is GA, but just a few weeks ago at a launch in Oregon, the offending aircraft was a 747-8i on a delivery flight (I verified the aircraft with binoculars, then double checked when I returned to work )
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