Protecting Outdoor Concerts Act of 2025
The Protecting Outdoor Concerts Act of 2025 would require the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to issue or revise regulations to establish temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) around outdoor music festivals. Specifically, within one year of enactment, the FAA would designate airspace where restrictions apply to both manned aircraft and unmanned aircraft (drones) when such restrictions are needed to protect people and property, ensure air safety and efficiency, or prevent unsafe congestion near events with 30,000 or more attendees per day. The bill directs the FAA to align these rules with existing frameworks for large events, using Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) to designate restricted airspace and treating large outdoor events similarly to aerial demonstrations or major sporting events, and to apply unmanned aircraft restrictions in a manner comparable to current statutory authorities.
Key Points
- 1All outdoor concerts or festivals with daily attendance of 30,000 or more would trigger designated TFRs for both manned and unmanned aircraft, as determined by the FAA for safety and congestion management.
- 2The FAA must issue or revise regulations within 1 year of enactment to establish these TFR areas and NOTAM procedures.
- 3In implementing these regulations, the FAA should, to the extent practicable, treat large outdoor concerts as aerial demonstrations or major sporting events under 14 C.F.R. 91.145.
- 4The FAA should designate restricted airspace for unmanned aircraft in a manner consistent with how areas are designated under 49 U.S.C. 44812 for drones.
- 5The regulatory approach emphasizes safety, protection of people and property on the surface or in the air, and the avoidance of unsafe air congestion around large outdoor concerts.