•  Protect declared national disasters for humanitarian  reasons; •  Protect the President, Vice President, or other public  figures; and •  Provide a safe environment for space agency  operations. National security areas (NSAs) consist of airspace with  defined vertical and lateral dimensions established at  locations where there is a requirement for increased security  and safety of ground facilities. Flight in NSAs may be  temporarily prohibited by regulation under the provisions  of 14 CFR part 99, and prohibitions will be disseminated  via NOTAM. Since the events of September 11, the use of TFRs has  become much more common. There have been a number  of incidents of aircraft incursions into TFRs, which have  resulted in pilots undergoing security investigations, and  certificate suspensions. It is a pilot’s responsibility to be  aware of TFRs in their proposed area of flight. One way to  check is to visit the FAA’s web site, at www.tfr.faa.gov, and  verify that there is not a TFR in the area.  [Figure 5-16] When utilizing the NAS, there are many occasions when it is  necessary to communicate with a control tower, a controlling  agency, or another aircraft. Balloon pilots should have a  working knowledge of correct radio procedures in order  to properly exercise their privileges, and not interfere with  other aviation traffic. Aviation very-high-frequency (VHF) radios may be used  for communications between the balloon pilot and towers,  pilot to FSS, air to air (pilot to pilot), air to ground in  some circumstances, and to get information from weather  facilities and automated stations. VHF radios are not to be  used as a “telephone service” or in a Citizen’s Band-type of  operation; this use is specifically prohibited by the Federal  Communications Commission (FCC), and may result in  monetary fines. There is no license requirement for a pilot operating in the  United States; however, a pilot who may be operating outside  the country is required to hold a restricted radiotelephone  permit issued by the FCC. There is also no station license  requirement for a handheld radio used in a balloon, as  it is not permanently mounted. A station license may be  required when a balloon is operated outside the country; it  is best to check with the appropriate local authorities before  contemplating such an operation. Another TFR issue that the balloon pilot needs to be aware  of are the restrictions imposed under 14 CFR part 91, section  91.145. In this regulation, the FAA has codified restrictions  against the overflight of major outdoor events, such as the  World Series, the Rose Bowl, and NASCAR events. Several  years ago, it was relatively common to see hot air balloons  promoting products or services being flown over these events,  providing exposure for the commercial sponsor. Now, there  are significant distance and altitude restrictions for such  events, and any operations inside the TFR area must be  conducted under the provisions of a waiver. Should such an  operation be contemplated, the balloon pilot should consult  with the local Flight Service District Office (FSDO) well in  advance of the event. The single most important aspect of radio communication is  clarity. Keeping one’s transmissions brief, and using correct  terminology and phraseology when operating an aircraft  radio is imperative. All frequencies are shared with others; a  pilot’s idle chatter to a chase crew could inadvertently block  another pilot’s emergency transmission at an airfield many  miles away. A good pilot will minimize radio requirements,  and think before speaking. 5-9 $_{Figure 5-16.}$  A temporary flight restriction (TFR) imposed at  Boston’s Logan Airport to general aviation and restricting  operations at surrounding airports. National Security Areas Radio Communications