FAA Issues Temporary Flight Restriction Over SpaceX McGregor Site Ahead of Tesla Roadster Reveal on October 1
Why It MattersAirspace restrictions tied to commercial product launches highlight how business aviation and drone operators must monitor NOTAMs around high-profile private-sector events near shared-use airfields.
The FAA has put in place a Temporary Flight Restriction over SpaceX's McGregor test facility near Waco, Texas, effective through October 2. The restricted zone spans roughly a 1.5-mile radius up to about 10,000 feet, barring drone operations and low-flying aircraft around the site, located about 20 minutes outside Waco.
Space watcher Niall Anderson first flagged the filing, and pilot and observer Joe Tegtmeyer linked the airspace restriction to Tesla's Roadster reveal rather than a routine engine-test notice. The restriction coincides with Tesla's announced October 1 Roadster reveal event, for which invitations already name Waco as the location. Tesla has also reopened Roadster reservations with a $50,000 refundable deposit and released promotional material using the phrase "Go for launch," linking to its Roadster page.
The FAA filing itself does not reference Tesla or the Roadster in its NOTAM text.
