Air Tours

the Federal Aviation Administration Seal and the National Park Service Arrowhead

FAA Seal / NPS Arrowhead

National Parks Air Tour Management Program

The National Park Service (NPS) is working diligently in cooperation with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to implement the National Park Air Tour Management Act of 2000, which was signed into law on April 5, 2000.

The Act requires operators wishing to conduct commercial air tours over national parks, or over tribal lands within or abutting national parks, to apply to the FAA for authority to conduct such tours. The Act further requires FAA, in cooperation with the NPS, to establish air tour management plans for parks or tribal lands for which applications are submitted.

The page contains annoucements of current projects, links to completed Air Tour Management Plans, and links to recorded public meetings.

Addtional background information, including frequently asked questions and annual reports, is also available.

Annoucements

Two Air Tour Management Plans Completed
The National Park Service (NPS) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced on November 17, 2023 the completion of air tour management plans for Badlands National Park and Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Please to go each park's respective NPS project page to view the final Plans and associated Compliance documentation.
Air Tour Management Plan for Badlands National Park - park's project page
Air Tour Management Plan for Mount Rushmore National Memorial - park's project page
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Notification of Request for ACHP Review of Finding – Air Tour Management Plan for Haleakalā National Park. Please go to FAA's website for more information, click on "What's New with the ATMP Program."

Current Projects

Information on public comment periods and public meetings for draft Air Tour Management Plans will be posted here during the active public commenting period.

Notice of Availability of Consultation Documents for Public Comment Under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act
The FAA, in cooperation with the National Park Service (NPS) (together the agencies), has initiated development of an Air Tour Management Plan (ATMP) for Canyon de Chelly National Monument (the Park) pursuant to the National Parks Air Tour Management Act (NPATMA) of 2000 and its implementing regulations.

The agencies are seeking public input on the FAA's efforts to date in identifying consulting parties, determining the area of potential effects, identifying historic properties, and assessing the effects of the undertaking on historic properties within the area of potential effects.
The public comment period is open from November 2, 2023 - December 4, 2023.
FAA Federal Register Notice
NPS Public Comment Project Page - access to public documents open for review and directions for public comment

an aerial view of mountains with patchy snow under a partly cloudy sky
Glacier National Park

NPS Photo

Completed Air Tour Management Plans or Voluntary Agreements

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    An aerial shot of the city of San Franciso and the bay
    San Franciso Bay Area

    Dan Friedman

    Stakeholder and Public Engagement

    As part of the Air Tour Management Plan process, the NPS and FAA are conducting stakeholder and public meetings. Links to webinar recordings and/or meeting slide decks (where applicable) will be posted below.

    Recorded Public Meetings for Completed Air Tour Management Plans

    Meeting Date: 5/25/2023
    Recorded Meeting: Public Meeting: Haleakalā National Park Air Tour Management Plan
    Slide Deck: Haleakalā National Park Air Tour Management Plan Presentation

    Meeting Date: 6/7/2023
    Recorded Meeting: Public Meeting: Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Air Tour Management Plan
    Slide Deck: Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Air Tour Management Plan Presentation
    Project Website: Draft Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Air Tour Management Plan
    Press Release: Public input sought on draft air tour management plan for Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

    Meeting Date: 6/1/2023
    Recorded Meeting: Public Meeting: Mount Rushmore National Memorial Air Tour Management Plan
    Slide Deck: Mount Rushmore National Memorial Air Tour Management Plan Presentation


    National Parks Overflights Advisory Group

    The NPS and FAA jointly established the National Parks Overflights Advisory Group in 2001. This group provides continuing advice and counsel with respect to commercial air tour operations over and near national parks. They work with other stakeholders, such as air tour operators and tribes, to address a range of general aviation and environmental concerns.


    Last updated: November 17, 2023