Super Bowl XLVI

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Updated January 30, 2012

Super Bowl XLVI will take place on Sunday, February 5, 2012, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. Game time will be at 6:30 p.m. CST.

Note that there will NOT be a slot-based Special Traffic Management Program (STMP) implemented for Super Bowl XLVI. 

  • This Sunday, February 5, Super Bowl XLVI will bring a large influx of people to the Indianapolis, IN area, and preliminary numbers indicate that significant volume is expected into Indianapolis International (IND) and the area's satellite airports. 
    • The NBAA GA Desk strongly recommends that operators heading to any Indianapolis area airports on February 5th file their flight plans no later than 0600 local time Sunday morning. Flight plans that are filed after the programs have been implemented will be considered “pop up” flights and are subject to additional delay.
    • Due to the likely use of a ground delay program for arrivals, NBAA’s GA Desk encourages operators to plan for delays and not schedule last-minute arrivals as delays could push flights into the special event TFR timeframe, which begins at 4:30 p.m. local (2130z).
    • The TFR will not be revised to accommodate late-arriving flights.
    • NBAA also strongly encourages operators to file required routes noted in the FAA flight advisory. Additional delays are possible if operators are not filed on the correct route.
  • The FAA has released a TFR NOTAM detailing restrictions on GA operations on February 5, 2012. From 1630L (2130z) until 2359L (0459z/06) all GA operations will be prohibited at Indianapolis International (IND), Eagle Creek Airpark (EYE), and Greenwood Municipal (HFY). Due to its proximity to the 10NM TFR, certain approaches and departure paths may not be available at Indianapolis Regional (MQJ) and Indianapolis Metro (UMP) when the TFR is active. Only aircraft on an active IFR flight plan may operate in the airspace between the 10nm and 30nm TFR rings. Review the TFR NOTAM.
  • An FAA Flight Advisory has been provided by the FAA for Super Bowl XLVI. The provides details regarding security provisions, airports with temporary towers, airport-specific contact and frequency information, preferred departure routes out of the Indianapolis area, and other useful information.
  • Temporary control towers have been set up at several Indianapolis-area airports, in order to give operators more airport options and to help alleviate air traffic delays. See "Airport Information" below.
  • A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) will be released a few weeks in advance of the game for the Indianapolis area, immediately surrounding Lucas Oil Stadium. Once the NOTAM has been released, it will be included below. General information is available in the FAA Flight Advisory.
  • Air traffic management initiatives such as ground delay programs, ground stops, or airspace flow programs may be utilized along with published reroutes to expedite arrivals and departures in a safe and orderly manner. NBAA will issue advisories via Airspace Alerts as more information becomes available. NBAA Members may subscribe to Airspace Alerts by visiting My Air Mail.
  • The Indianapolis Super Bowl XLVI Host Committee web page has useful and detailed information regarding Super Bowl XLVI. Review the host committee web page for information on weather issues, airport closures or delays, temporary control tower hours of operation and other critical updates.
  • Review the "Know Before You Go" Tips from the host committee.

Super Bowl XLVI Special Traffic Management Procedures

While the FAA has summarized their plans for traffic management procedures in the FAA Flight Advisory, specific information about what initiatives might be required are usually not available until the day of the event.

However, operators can expect possible Ground Delay Programs (GDPs), Ground Stops, and/or Airspace Flow Programs (AFPs) for arrivals into the Indianapolis area, as well as significant departure delays following the game.

NBAA encourages operators to monitor the following FAA web resources for real-time air traffic information on February 5:

Airport Information

Class D airspace will be created around the 3 temporary control towers at the following airports. It is expected that these airports will have a 3NM radius ring of Class D airspace up to 2000’ MSL around each temporary control tower whenever the tower is in operation, however, check the NOTAM for final confirmation.

  • Indianapolis Regional Airport (MQJ)
  • Indianapolis Executive Airport (TYQ)
  • Eagle Creek Airpark (EYE)

These temporary towers will be in operation from Wednesday, February 1 – Monday, February 6.

Operators landing at any of the "high traffic" airports mentioned in the NOTAM should indicate in the Remarks section of their flight plan whether they are parking (staying for more than 30 minutes) or only dropping off passengers.

Although area airports have increased parking areas, there may still be parking challenges. Customers are advised to contact their FBOs of choice as soon as possible to be briefed on parking availability.

Information for Operators Flying To/From Indianapolis International Airport (IND)

From Monday, January 30 - Monday, February 6, FAA is requesting that operators flying to/from IND note the following information in the REMARKS section of their flight plan:

  1. When arriving, note arrival FBO: Signature or Million Air
  2. When departing note the exact physical location of aircraft on the airport (i.e. FEDEX ramp, Postal Service Ramp, Million Air Ramp, Signature Ramp, Runway 14/32).

For detailed airport information, visit the Indianapolis Super Bowl XLVI Host Committee web site.

TFR NOTAM

The FAA has released a TFR NOTAM detailing restrictions on GA operations on February 5, 2012. From 1630L (2130z) until 2359L (0459z/06) all GA operations will be prohibited at Indianapolis International (IND), Eagle Creek Airpark (EYE), and Greenwood Municipal (HFY). Due to its proximity to the 10NM TFR, certain approaches and departure paths may not be available at Indianapolis Regional (MQJ) and Indianapolis Metro (UMP) when the TFR is active. Only aircraft on an active IFR flight plan may operate in the airspace between the 10nm and 30nm TFR rings. Review the TFR NOTAM.