FR 2021-01020

The document under review is an official proposal by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to amend and establish specific airspace classifications in Fort Riley and Manhattan, Kansas. This involves changes to Class D and Class E airspace affecting Marshall Army Airfield, Manhattan Regional Airport, and Freeman Field in Junction City. The adjustments are necessitated by the retirement of certain non-directional beacons which had previously served as navigation aids.

General Summary

In its essence, this document states the FAA’s final rule to amend certain features of airspace due to technological updates, specifically the decommissioning of the Calvary and McDowell Creek non-directional beacons. The document highlights the expansion of airspace zones and updates to geographic coordinates in alignment with current aeronautical information. It also seeks to clarify that these changes are administrative and do not alter the existing flight paths or altitudes used by aircraft.

Significant Issues or Concerns

There are several concerns highlighted within the document, primarily due to its technical nature:

• Complexity and Technicality: The document contains sophisticated legal descriptions related to the airspace alterations, making it challenging for those without prior experience or understanding of aeronautical navigation laws.
• Typographical Errors: The text notes the presence of typographical errors regarding geographical coordinates and radial direction corrections. Such errors, if unnoticed or uncorrected, could lead to misunderstandings and potential safety risks in aeronautical documentation.
• Dependence on Cross-referenced Materials: Readers might need to access FAA Order 7400.11E separately to gain full comprehension of all references, posing a hurdle for those who prefer a succinct document.

Public Impact

For the general public, these adjusted regulations might seem insignificant, but they highlight the FAA’s intent to maintain up-to-date aeronautical charts and enhance airspace safety. While everyday citizens might not notice the changes directly, these amendments aim to ensure continued safe navigation for aircraft, which ultimately affects public safety and efficiency in air transport.

Stakeholder Impact

• Airline and Aviation Personnel: For pilots and air traffic controllers, these changes ensure that airspace coordination is based on current and reliable navigational data. It minimizes the risks of misunderstandings related to outdated or incorrect information.

• Local Communities: Individuals residing near these facilities may not directly feel the amendments' impacts due to unchanged flight paths and altitudes, but they stand to gain from the enhanced safety and operational clarity.

• Regulatory Bodies and Military Installations: For agencies involved in overseeing flight operations and the military installations like Fort Riley, accurate airspace classifications ensure better compliance with navigational standards and the integration of military and civilian aircraft management.

Final Considerations

In summary, while the document is deeply technical and administrative, it reflects essential updates that underpin the safety and efficiency of air travel. The FAA’s efforts in rectifying technical errors and updating terminology are commendable for maintaining clarity and consistency in aviation standards. Stakeholders in aviation and related fields will largely benefit from these meticulous adjustments, albeit requiring a degree of navigation through complex legal jargon and cross-referenced regulatory documents.