News Release
NPS
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Contact: Mary Plumb
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Park Service (NPS) today announced the completion of two commercial air tour management voluntary agreements for Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Rainbow Bridge National Recreation Area. The signing of these agreements completes the efforts of the FAA and the NPS to establish voluntary agreements with all nine air tour operators conducting commercial air tours over Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Rainbow Bridge National Monument.
The National Parks Air Tour Management Act (NPATMA) allows the FAA and NPS to enter into voluntary agreements with commercial air tour operators. A voluntary agreement manages commercial air tour operations over a national park by establishing conditions for the conduct of the air tour flights. The process for developing a voluntary agreement includes public review of the proposed agreement and tribal consultation. All operators with interim operating authority for a park must sign a voluntary agreement to meet the requirements of NAME.
Commercial air tours have occurred over Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Rainbow Bridge National Monument for many years. In 2018, seven operators signed voluntary agreements. With the completion of these two additional voluntary agreements, all nine operators will be following the same operating parameters. The voluntary agreements establish operating parameters to ensure protection of national park resources and values and visitor experience without compromising aviation safety.
An unsigned version of the voluntary agreement is available on the NPS Planning, Environment & Public Comment (PEPC) website – PEPC - Commercial Air Tour Management Agreement. Signed copies are available upon request. Please visit this NPS site and this FAA site for more detailed information about air tour management plans and voluntary agreements.
Last updated: August 30, 2023