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.

Announcements

Lake Mead National Recreation Area Announces Public Comment Period for Proposed Air Tour Management Voluntary Agreement

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Park Service (NPS) announce the availability of a proposed commercial air tour management voluntary agreement for Lake Mead National Recreation Area. This agreement would guide the FAA and NPS in the management of commercial air tours over the park. A 30-day public review period on the proposed agreement begins on March 20, 2024. Please visit the park's project page link below to access documents and provide comments.
Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Proposed Air Tour Voluntary Agreement - Park's project page, documents open for public comment
Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Proposed Air Tour Voluntary Agreement - Press Release

Bandelier National Monument Completes Air Tour Management Plan

The National Park Service (NPS) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) completed an air tour management plan for Bandalier National Monument on March 1, 2024. The plan will prohibit commercial air tours over the park and within one-half mile of the boundary of the park to protect the park’s natural and cultural resources, Tribal sacred sites and ceremonial areas, and visitor experience within the ATMP boundary. The plan’s operating parameters will be effective within 180 days from the date of signature. 
Bandelier National Monument Air Tour Management Plan Press Release
Bandelier National Monument Air Tour Management Project Page - documents located here

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.

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.