kick off starts on the ground
Aviation safety with richard WHittemore
If you haven’t heard yet, the United States is one of the three countries hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The World Cup will bring more than six million visitors to North America and generate sustained peak-level traffic across 16 host cities. Here in Kansas City, we’ll welcome teams and fans from around the world as airports, airspace, and air traffic systems experience increased demand.
With all of the excitement surrounding the World Cup, it’s easy to focus on the destination. But for pilots, the journey begins long before takeoff. Fortunately, as aviation professional Richard Whittemore reminds us, the best game plans start before takeoff.
Richard Whittemnore is a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE), a National Insurance Instructor for the 525 Series (CJ), a three-time Master Flight Instructor with the National Association of Flight Instructors, and most recently, he was recognized as the 2025 Flight Instructor of the Year by the National FSDO.
Kick us off, Richard!
The best defense is preparation
When asked about the most common mistakes pilots make, Richard’s answer wasn’t surprising.
“In my opinion, it starts on the ground. Let’s take the proper 10 or 15 minutes before hopping in the airplane and going.”
During World Cup operations, that extra 10 minutes may be the most valuable time you spend all day.
The FAA expects:
- Traffic Management Initiatives (TMIs)
- Ground Delay Programs (GDPs)
- Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs)
- Increased routing constraints
- Additional cross-border planning requirements
know the opponent
During the World Cup, your “opponent” isn’t another aircraft–it’s congestion, delays, temporary flight restrictions, changing procedures, and the unexpected challenges that come with operating in one of the busiest aviation environments North America has ever experienced.
Richard specifically highlighted the importance of reviewing NOTAMs, briefing approach plates, and understanding the operational environment before departure.
The FAA recommends checking NOTAMs frequently during the tournament period, as TFRs surrounding stadiums may be published only a few days before events.
A missed NOTAM during the World Cup could mean:
- Delays
- Reroutes
- Restricted airport access
- Missed arrival slots
stick to the game plan
During peak traffic periods:
- Flight plans must generally be filed 6-24 hours prior to departure.
- Air-filed flight plans and airborne IFR pickups may be unavailable.
- Ground Delay Programs will require departures within assigned EDCT windows.
- VFR operations may experience significant delays and holding.
The lesson? Don’t assume you’ll be able to “figure it out in the air.”
As Richard noted, situational awareness must always outweigh complacency.
Final Whistle
One of our favorite lessons from Richard came from a phrase an instructor once shared with him: “A bad student will scare you, and a good student will kill you.” The point wasn’t about students. It was about complacency. The more routine something becomes, the easier it is to assume everything will go according to plan. The World Cup will create one of the busiest aviation environments North America has ever experienced. The pilots who come out on top will be the ones who prepare the best by taking an extra ten minutes on the ground, checking the NOTAMs one more time, and staying disciplined from kickoff to final whistle.