Air Tour Management Plan For GSMNP Completed

The National Park Service and the Federal Aviation Administration have completed an air tour management plan for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Commercial air tours have occurred over the Smokies for many years, but, without defined operating parameters. The air tour management plan they say establishes measures to protect park resources including natural and cultural resources, preservation of wilderness character, and visitor experience. The plan authorizes up to 946 air tours per year on six defined routes conducted over the park and up to 1/2 mile outside the park’s boundary at an altitude above 2600 feet. The 946 number equals the average amount of air tours over the Smokies each year from 2017-2019. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is among 24 parks in the National Park System for which the agencies are developing air tour management plans or voluntary agreements for. The agreement for the Smokies will go in effect 90 days after the document is signed.