Date: 201406
Flight conditions: VMC
Light: Night
Aircraft: Helicopter
Operating under: Part 91
Mission: Training
Flight phase: Cruise
Reporter function: Pilot Not Flying; Captain
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Commercial
Human factors: Confusion
Second reporter function: Pilot Flying
Anomaly: Airspace Violation All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: Other After the Flight
Contributing factors: Chart Or Publication
Primary problem: Chart Or Publication

Narrative: I found this morning that I may have violated the TFR NOTAM FDC XX/YYYY on a local area orientation flight. There was a planned local area orientation flight to be conducted by me for two other people from Page; AZ to include 2-3 hours of day flight and 2 hours night flight.  Because of the duty time and night requirements I checked in 4 hours early at the base as I was planning to be done with the flights.  As soon as I came in; I logged in; preflighted the aircraft; and then called [Specified] Comms to put the base back in service as it had been out of service since approximately the previous night pilot going off shift.  During the call to [Specified] Comms I was told that we were being put on standby for a scene call.  I then checked weather for the scene.  I noticed while checking weather that the previously present TFR icon for the fire in between Flagstaff and Sedona was gone; I also knew that the fire had been mostly if not completely contained so I assumed the TFR had been lifted.  My normal procedure includes looking on the FAA TFR website to verify any TFRs and their status.  I was then notified that the flight was requested to be launched.  The flight would not take me near the previous TFR area so I did not look at the FAA TFR website or call the FSS to verify the lack of the TFR at that time thinking I would have the time and opportunity after the requested scene flight. After completing the scene flight (which was canceled after arriving on scene) I forgot to check into the TFR further.  During the area orientation flight; shortly after lifting from Flagstaff heading to the Phoenix area; I noticed that the GPS was displaying the previous TFR that had a rectangular shape just north of Sedona; AZ.  My previous knowledge of the TFR was that it was only in effect during daylight hours and that coupled with remembering that it was not displayed [earlier;] I assumed it had not updated on the GPS and the TFR was either not currently in effect or not in effect at all.  During that leg of the flight I do not believe we violated the TFR; but just skirted the eastern edge of it. We might have flown through the western edge of the rectangular TFR.  Again I was still under the assumption that the TFR was either not currently in effect or not in effect at all.  Upon arriving on duty today and doing my normal duty day activities I noticed that the FDC NOTAM (TFR) XX/YYYY was in effect 24 hours a day. The shape of the TFR was also a trapezoidal shape instead of the previous rectangle.  Upon looking at the new location and remembering the route of flight from [northern Pheonix area] to PGA; it is possible that we flew through the TFR.   I will be sure to complete my normal routine of preparing for my duty day each and every shift (which includes reviewing NOTAM information from approved resources) before accepting any flight request.  In last night's case I should have contacted the FSS in flight to verify the presence or lack there of the TFR.  I believe some of the contributing factors of the possible TFR violation was that my duty day was significantly different than a normal duty day in that I started several hours later than normal; the base was out of service  when I arrived; and I was assuming that I would look up the TFR information after the scene request. The flight was conducted under a flight release obtained by me.


Second narrative: Our lead pilot received a flight release; checked weather; and NOTAMS.  He was the PIC during an orientation flight for our work area. I and another new pilot to this base were taking turns flying while our lead pilot directed our flight routes for the area orientation.  On the final leg home; we may have possibly flown through what the lead pilot believed was a non-active fire TFR near Sedona; AZ.  The PIC believed the NOTAM that he had reviewed showed the TFR not in effect from sunset to sunrise.  Fortunately; we were a few hundred feet from the top of the TFR and what we believe was the edge of the TFR.  The following morning; after 10 hours of rest; our lead pilot reviewed weather and NOTAMS for his upcoming shift and reviewed the TFR for any changes.  This is when he realized his possible error.I believe printing out a narrative and map of any possible TFR's along with any pertinent NOTAMS for my area of work could be carried with me in the aircraft during my shift.  This information and location should be passed on to the oncoming pilot; regardless of his own NOTAM review.


Synopsis: Pilot report of possibly violating a TFR due to handheld equipment or applications; that didn't display the NOTAM correctly.