PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – The Federal Aviation Administration has issued a no-fly warning that will last from 10 a.m. to noon on Wednesday in a section of Aroostook County to accommodate a rocket launch.
Pilots will not be allowed to fly from the ground to 60,000 feet of altitude in an area centered 35 nautical miles southwest of Presque Isle International Airport for that period, according to the FAA’s warning. The circular no-fly zone is approximately 46 miles across.
The warning states that a rocket launch and recovery will occur in the area. FAA officials did not indicate whether the launch is connected to VALT Enterprizes, which operates an aerospace research center near the airport’s general aviation terminal.
Multiple attempts to reach VALT for comment were unsuccessful Tuesday.
Nick Erickson, a spokesperson for the Maine National Guard, said Tuesday that the Guard was unaware of the no-fly zone because it is not military related. The Guard operates a training center in Presque Isle just miles from the airport and VALT.
