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Re: [Phys-l] Another Fukushima in Nebraska?



Previously I said it "can be" hard to tell which press reports are
right and which are not.

Clarification: Sometimes it's hard, and sometimes it's not. In cases
where it is easy to check, could we please check ... so as to avoid
spreading stories that are not true?

On 06/29/2011 01:54 PM, chuck britton wrote:
A lot of reports seemed to make a 'big deal' out of the No Fly Zone
declaration that the NRC had to reiterate - after the fire was
reported. (ALL nuke plants are in No Fly Zones since 9/11.)

Sorry, both parts of that are incorrect. And it is easy to check.

a) In accordance with longstanding FDC NOTAM 4/0811 pilots are "strongly
advised" against flying near power plants (nuclear or otherwise) "to
the extent practicable".

However: "strongly advised" is waaay different from "prohibited".
Similarly, "should not" is waaay different from "may not". No
distances or altitudes are specified in this NOTAM.

b) In contrast, in accordance with FDC NOTAM 1/6523 issued June 06, 2011
at 2231 UTC, pilots may not operate within 2 nautical miles of the
Fort Calhoun plant at or below 3500 feet MSL (without special waivers).

This is not a corollary of item (a), and it is not a reiteration or
reminder of anything. It is a newly-issued Temporary Flight Restriction
unto itself.

Claims that this TFR has been in effect since 9/11 are just wrong.

On the other hand, press reports suggesting that this is a Big Deal
are completely wrong in the other direction. It is routine for the
FAA to establish TFRs over natural disasters or other incidents that
might attract lookie-loos. There were 27 TFRs in this category the
last time I checked, associated with various wildfires, floods, etc.

As far as I can tell, nearly all of the reporting on this issue has been
complete garbage ... as usual.

Please let's not spread false stories.