New flight restrictions for East Hawaii in place through May 14
The Federal Aviation Administration has issued another temporary flight restriction over the East Rift Zone area, effective until the night of May 14, due to unexpected volcanic activity.
The restriction, which was issued Saturday, remains in effect until 10 p.m. next Monday. Another one over the lower Puna area was in effect over the weekend.
No pilots may operate an aircraft, including drones, within a radius of two nautical miles of the Puu Oo vent, from the surface up to 3,000 feet above ground level, according to the latest flight restriction issued. The flight restriction is in addition to a long-term one already in place directly over Halemaumau since November of last year, in effect through November of this year.
Only relief aircraft operations under the direction of the National Park Service are authorized in the airspace.