Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon National Parks

Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks 

A variety of aircraft, including NPS-operated, military, commercial, and general aviation, fly in the airspace over National Parks.  Although there are many legitimate aviation uses, overflights can adversely affect the safety of emergency aviation operations (Fire, Search and Rescue), negatively impact park resources and values and interfere with visitor enjoyment.

Regulations Regarding Flights Over Charted National Park Service Areas to include Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

The landing of aircraft is prohibited on lands or waters administered by the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or U.S. Forest Service without authorization from the respective agency. Exceptions include: 1) when forced to land due to an emergency beyond the control of the operator, 2) at officially designated landing sites, or 3) on approved official business of the Federal Government. All aircraft are requested to maintain a minimum altitude of 2,000 feet above the surface of the following: National Parks, Monuments, Seashores, Lakeshores, Recreation Areas and Scenic Riverways administered by the National Park Service; National Wildlife Refuges, Big Game Refuges, Game Ranges and Wildlife Ranges administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Wilderness and Primitive areas administered by the U.S. Forest Service. FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 91-36D (refer to Uploaded Files), “Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Flight Near Noise-Sensitive Areas”, defines the surface as: the highest terrain within 2,000 feet laterally of the route of flight, or the upper-most rim of a canyon or valley.

Federal regulations also prohibit airdrops by parachute or other means of persons, cargo, or objects from aircraft on lands administered by the three agencies without authorization from the respective agency. Exceptions include, 1) emergencies involving the safety of human life, or 2) threat of serious property loss.

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Boundary of National Park Service areas, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service areas, and U.S. Forest Service Wilderness and Primitive areas.

Operators conducting Research, Aerial Mapping or Survey and Motion Picture Industries must contact the Park Aviation Manager prior to engaging in such activity.

For further information; contact Park Aviation Manager: Email: seki_aviation@nps.gov or Phone: 559-565-3158