Air tours will continue over Lake Mead NRA, based upon the completed commercial air tour management voluntary agreement / NPS - Andrew Cattoir

It’s taken about two years for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Park Service (NPS) to announce the completion of a commercial air tour management voluntary agreement for Lake Mead National Recreation Area in Arizona and Nevada. The Traveler reported in June 2022, of a federal appellate court taking both NPS and FAA to task over the delay in crafting air tour management plans for a number of units within the National Park System, including Lake Mead NRA.

This completed agreement guides the FAA and NPS in managing commercial air tours over the park and portions of Grand Canyon Parashant and Avi Kwa Ame national monuments.

Operators may continue conducting air tours over the parks with more consistent reporting requirements for monitoring and with flight altitude parameters for both fixed wing aircraft and helicopters. The final voluntary agreement and more information are available on the National Park Service website.

The agreement was developed in consultation with Native American Tribes, seven air tour operators, and with public review. It ensures aviation safety, positive visitor experiences, and natural and cultural resource protection. Under the National Parks Air Tour Management Act, the FAA and NPS may enter into voluntary agreements as an alternative to establishing an air tour management plan for a park.

Please visit this NPS site and this FAA site for more general information about air tour management plans and voluntary agreements.