Miami Makes "No-Fly Zone" List This New Years

December 30, 2003

Miami Makes "No-Fly Zone" List This New Years
Fighter Jets On Alert

NBC6.net, FL

MIAMI -- With New Year's Eve a little more than 24 hours away, Homeland 
Security is taking no chances.

The government Tuesday night had its eyes on the sky, as millions of people 
were getting ready to ring in the New Year.

NBC 6 learned Tuesday that the government was stepping in and clearing the sky 
of small planes for the Orange Bowl game on New Year's night. A sellout crowd 
was expected for the game between Miami and Florida State -- just the kind of 
thing security teams worry about. 
 
When the Orange Bowl game kicks off, you won't see any banner planes. The 
government will prevent any small planes from coming near Pro Player Stadium. 
No small aircraft will be allowed within 3 miles, and 3,000 feet above the 
field.

The government was taking the steps to keep fans' eyes on the game -- and not 
in the sky. Authorities worry about terrorists crashing small planes into large 
crowds, not just at football games.

NBC 6 Exclusive

Supervisors at Miami Executive Aviation, located at Opa Locka Airport, gave NBC 
6 an exclusive look at their new high-tech security system designed to battle 
just what the government fears.

There are cameras everywhere now at the airport -- a big change from before. 
Workers behind the counter can see what goes on, and the mainframe catches 
everything that comes in, moves around and leaves the airport.

Fighter Jets On Alert

Fighter jets are not flying around the clock in south Florida, but fighter jets 
are on alert. The jets are in the skies over other cities, like New York. Las 
Vegas had armed helicopters flying over the gambling below.

As of Tuesday night, the FBI continued to find out who sent a letter to FedEx 
and threatened the air operations in south Florida. The letter that arrived on 
Monday said the planes in Ft. Lauderdale could be in danger.

FedEx reported no trouble Tuesday night.
 Do you have an opinion about this story?
Share it with other readers in our CAA Discussion Forums

http://www.californiaaviation.org/dc/dcboard.php

*****************************************