PILOT SPIN
Spin Zone => Spin Zone => Topic started by: Rush on February 11, 2026, 05:31:07 AM
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Wonder what's going on?
Grok says this:
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued two Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs)—NOTAM FDC 6/2233 for the airspace around El Paso International Airport (ELP) and FDC 6/2234 for the nearby Santa Teresa area in southern New Mexico—effective from 11:30 p.m. MST on February 10, 2026, through 11:30 p.m. MST on February 20, 2026.
These TFRs prohibit all aircraft operations (including commercial, cargo, general aviation, and drones) within approximately a 10-nautical-mile radius of the affected zones, from the surface up to 18,000 feet MSL, with no listed exemptions even for emergencies like medical evacuations. (!!!!)
The airspace has been designated as "national defense airspace," and violations could result in interception, detention, or the use of deadly force if an aircraft is deemed an imminent threat.
The official reason provided by the FAA is "temporary flight restrictions for special security reasons," but no further details or specific threats have been publicly disclosed as of now.
The TFRs were issued with little to no advance notice, catching local officials, airport staff, pilots, and even some military personnel off guard, and are considered highly unusual for their duration and scope in a major U.S. city without a declared emergency.
This has led to widespread flight cancellations and diversions to nearby airports like Albuquerque, Tucson, or Phoenix, with travelers advised to contact their airlines for rebooking.
While the exact cause remains undisclosed, the TFRs' proximity to the U.S.-Mexico border and Fort Bliss (a major U.S. Army installation) has fueled public speculation that they may relate to heightened border enforcement, military operations, or specific threats.
Common theories circulating include counter-drone operations targeting drug smuggling, GPS jamming exercises, or intelligence about potential aerial threats like drones or shoulder-fired missiles.
The FAA typically issues such restrictions at the request of federal agencies like the Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), or intelligence services for classified national security matters.
The Santa Teresa TFR specifically appears centered over the East Potrillo Mountains wilderness area rather than Dona Ana County Airport.
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But the NOTAM said the airspace was classified as national defense airspace. Deadly force could be used on an aircraft if it is determined that it “poses and imminent security threat,” it said, adding that pilots “may be intercepted, detained and interviewed” by law enforcement and security personnel.
Deadly Force? :o
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The feds are going to be making the anti-ice weenies think something HUGE is going on there. It’s a trap, luring all those weenies there to be dealt with
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People are speculating cartel drones. I have feared drones would become a huge problem. Anybody can get them. China or Iran will sell them to our enemies. Maybe there is terrorist chatter about imminent drone attacks. They can be staged from Mexico. Or that Santa Teresa national park TFR, out over a bunch of nothing.
I think terrorist drones are more likely than cartel. I would think the cartels would use them to import drugs on the down low and stay away from commercial airports. But wtfdik?
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Hubby just texted me and says the TFR was just lifted. Huh.
Edit:
Apparently true:
https://x.com/FAANews/status/2021583720465969421
The temporary closure of airspace over El Paso has been lifted. There is no threat to commercial aviation. All flights will resume as normal.
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The cartels in Mexico are going to see just how far they can FAFO.
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The cartels in Mexico are going to see just how far they can FAFO.
Duffy confirmed cartel drones:
https://x.com/SecDuffy/status/2021594420806639787
Edit:
Um... I'm hearing reports that they shot down a party balloon mistaking it for a drone. I don't know what is real anymore.
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Deadly Force? :o
They will attempt to force you to land. If you don't, they will shoot you down.
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Regarding the airport shutdown.
https://www.coffeeandcovid.com/p/bro-bots-thursday-february-12-2026
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I HATE liberal democrats and their communist masters.
Fuck them all with a square head shovel coated with diseased pig shit.