Security for President Obama's visit to the area spans from land to water and the sky. Safety is taken very seriously but can have a big impact on travel and routines especially during a three-day tour like this.
The Federal Aviation Administration has temporary flight restrictions on general aviation while Obama is in Iowa. The territory covers a big chunk of central to eastern Iowa, also some of Illinois. Following the President's motorcade the no-fly zones have a 10-mile radius. Each place he stops the restrictions cover 30 miles in each direction. Within these areas are a lot of people who make a living in the sky.
"We're basically shut down. We can't fly off this airport tomorrow because of President Obama coming to town," said Garrett Lindell. His aerial ag business near Aledo isn't at all close to where President Obama will stop on Wednesday but it's just within the FAA's temporary flight restriction.
"Since Obama has been in office we've been shut down three or four times during our busy time. We've been able to work around it which is fortunate for us, but it is a hindrance on our business," added Lindell. He does crop dusting up to 100 miles away, including areas in eastern Iowa. Some work he originally planned for tomorrow had to be moved.
KWQC also spoke to an area flight school instructor and an aerial photographer who won't be able to work Wednesday. The only things that are allowed in the sky are emergency aircrafts, military support for Secret Service, approved law enforcement, and commercial jets on a flight plan. It's up to all pilots to regularly check for TFR's and anyone in violation could face a whole slew of penalties.
"It's something we would investigate but also something that North American Air Defense would get involved with, the Secret Service, Homeland Security," said Elizabeth Cory, spokesperson for the FAA.
As for Lindell, he understands rules are rules and security is important but it does affect a lot of people. He says especially as VIP visits from both parties are getting more frequent to the area. "The good thing about the election is it's held in November and my season is pretty much over now. But there's times where they'll show back up and we'll have to deal with it again I'm sure," said Lindell.
The FAA implements flight restrictions at the request of other federal agencies like the Secret Service. Similar restrictions could be in place for Romney campaign travels as well.
