Helicopters flying around today??

[purpliequeen]

We noticed them all week from 8am to 8pm non stop. Every five min over SSR and DS. Loud. According to flight radar, they’re circling nonstop (def not tourist or passenger craft) and low. Below 400’. Insane. I spent years living in Logan circle a mile from the White House. We heard and saw lots of copters. This last week was worse than that. My first assumption was traffic monitoring. But after hours of it, I’m assuming security. Was there a threat or something this week? An important VIP? Maybe President at the park? Who knows but distracting nonetheless.

 

[dioxide45]

There are at least two helicopter tour operators near where we were staying. One on Vineland and the other on International Drive. These looked like small helicopters, but none of the ones I have seen at these outfits are very large, perhaps only enough to hold two passengers. This is a map of the TPR. Zooming in, perhaps where we were staying wasn't included in the restricted zone, but looking at the helicopter above, it does look to be. It is possible that they have a waiver from the FAA.

 

[Heather07438]

Just looking at that I hear the Layla piano exit

 

[goofyernmost]

There are at least two helicopter tour operators near where we were staying. One on Vineland and the other on International Drive. These looked like small helicopters, but none of the ones I have seen at these outfits are very large, perhaps only enough to hold two passengers. This is a map of the TPR. Zooming in, perhaps where we were staying wasn't included in the restricted zone, but looking at the helicopter above, it does look to be. It is possible that they have a waiver from the FAA.
View attachment 574155

Everyone of the tour ones are Red, I think. And they might go outside of the restricted zone but that zone has nothing to do with keep people inside. It is to keep those that haven't paid for a flyover permit to Reedy Creek from flying in side it. I also see that map identifies Magic Kingdom as Disney World when they whole thing is Disney World. They also left off DHS and put Animal out side to the area completely

 

[dioxide45]

Everyone of the tour ones are Red, I think. And they might go outside of the restricted zone but that zone has nothing to do with keep people inside. It is to keep those that haven't paid for a flyover permit to Reedy Creek from flying in side it. I also see that map identifies Magic Kingdom as Disney World when they whole thing is Disney World. They also left off DHS and put Animal out side to the area completely

The map is the FAA sectional charts and the FAA controls the airspace. Reedy Creek Improvement District would not be able to sell a permit for flyovers, any waiver to the restriction would need to come from the FAA.

 

[purpliequeen]

Like I said, these were not tourist/tour helicopters unless passengers enjoy circling the same route every five min for hours on end. And if they are tourists, I can't imagine that that repetitive route is "fun" or worth the $$$. Maybe the tourists are filming Tik Toks and gotta get the "perfect take" by circling over SSR & DS ever four or five min. I'm guessing security. Maybe there was a threat this past week. My phone updated the app this morning so I couldn't figure out how to show the "flight path" (which is shape repeated over and over again). I'll try again tomorrow, as they'll be at it around 8 or 9am.

 

[wdw&sonny]

Land survey? Google Maps survey?

 

[ars0525]

I was at HS on May 4th & noticed more air traffic than usual. Usually a few flyovers & such is the norm when I am at the parks, but this was more like the repetitive circling others described. I thought maybe since it was Star Wars day & HS they were watching the crowds.

 

[goofyernmost]

The map is the FAA sectional charts and the FAA controls the airspace. Reedy Creek Improvement District would not be able to sell a permit for flyovers, any waiver to the restriction would need to come from the FAA.

Well, from whomever, it's not like Disney would have any influence over the decisions of the FAA concerning the airspace over their land. All the restriction is about anyway is elevations except, from what I last heard , was MK which had a flat out no fly over at those elevations, however higher is open.

 

[Lehuaann]

I’ve noticed them throughout the week. There was one over AK today that was close enough I could make out the colors. Looked like Orlando Heli-Tours “Disney Spectacular Tour“ https://www.orlandohelitours.com/helicopter-tours/disney-spectacular-tour/

 

[dioxide45]

Well, from whomever, it's not like Disney would have any influence over the decisions of the FAA concerning the airspace over their land. All the restriction is about anyway is elevations except, from what I last heard , was MK which had a flat out no fly over at those elevations, however higher is open.

Correct, the restriction ends at 3000 feet.

 

[dioxide45]

I’ve noticed them throughout the week. There was one over AK today that was close enough I could make out the colors. Looked like Orlando Heli-Tours “Disney Spectacular Tour“ https://www.orlandohelitours.com/helicopter-tours/disney-spectacular-tour/

There is no restricted airspace over Animal Kingdom and Epcot is very close to the edge of the airspace. Looking at their photo of Epcot, it could have easily been taken from outside the restricted airspace.

 

[Lehuaann]

There is no restricted airspace over Animal Kingdom and Epcot is very close to the edge of the airspace. Looking at their photo of Epcot, it could have easily been taken from outside the restricted airspace.

Not sure where the restricted airspace is, but saw another one while sitting in the Japan pavilion today. However, it was not directly overhead, more toward the Boardwalk area. Also several over DHS on May the 4th.

Theme park reservations have been booked and with this past week being May the 4th, Cinco De Mayo, and Mother’s Day, I assumed Tours.

 

[dioxide45]

Not sure where the restricted airspace is, but saw another one while sitting in the Japan pavilion today. However, it was not directly overhead, more toward the Boardwalk area. Also several over DHS on May the 4th.

Theme park reservations have been booked and with this past week being May the 4th, Cinco De Mayo, and Mother’s Day, I assumed Tours.

The map up in post #22 shows the restriction starting right around Epcot World Showcases. It isn't really to scale, but I think the redline perhaps runs through the World Showcase. It also looks like Boardwalk is right on the edge too. I tried to overlay a Google maps image over the FAA sectional chart as best I could. I don't have a tool to make the Google image semi-transparent.