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

Notification of Request for ACHP Review of Finding – Air Tour Management Plan for Canyon de Chelly National Monument 
On June 30, 2024, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) issued an opinion responding to the FAA’s request to review its proposed finding of no adverse effects for the ATMP at Canyon de Chelly National Monument. In accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. § 470 et seq.) and its implementing regulations at 36 C.F.R. Part 800, the FAA has considered the ACHP’s opinion and has provided its response. To view documents, please see the FAA's website and click on "What's New With the ATMP Program": National Parks Air Tour Management | Federal Aviation Administration (faa.gov).
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Current Projects

Canyon de Chelly National Monument Draft Air Tour Management Plan and Environmental Assessment

On April 3, 2024, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Park Service (NPS) announced the availability of the Draft Air Tour Management Plan (ATMP) and Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for Canyon de Chelly National Monument. The 30-day public review period on the documents ended May 3, 2024. Below are links to the park's project page and the recorded virtual public meeting. When the document is finalized the public will be informed on the FAA and NPS Air Tours websites.
Canyon de Chelly National Monument Draft ATMP and Draft EA Project Page (public meetings slide decks here)
Canyon de Chelly National Monument Draft ATMP and Draft EA Press Release
Recorded virtual public meeting presentation

White House Ruin
Canyon de Chelly National Monument.

NPS

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


    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: October 10, 2024