Overview
Title
Revocation of Class D and Amendment of Class E Airspace; Gillette, WY
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The FAA changed the sky rules at the Gillette, WY airport so that planes can still fly safely even though the airport tower is closed. They made new rules to help planes take off and land safely.
Summary AI
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a final rule affecting the airspace around Northeast Wyoming Regional Airport in Gillette, WY. This rule eliminates the Class D airspace, creates a new Class E surface area, and modifies existing Class E airspace to better support departing and arriving aircraft. These changes are intended to enhance safety following the permanent closure of the airport's control tower. The FAA determined that this rule does not have significant economic or environmental impacts.
Abstract
This action removes the Class D airspace, establishes a Class E surface area, modifies the Class E airspace as an extension to the surface area and modifies the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet AGL at Northeast Wyoming Regional Airport, Gillette, WY. In addition, this action removes the VOR/DME from the legal description and replaces the outdated term Airport Facility/Directory with the term Chart Supplement. It also makes two minor administrative corrections noted in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM); the airport name is updated and the Class E surface area is identified as new airspace rather than amended airspace. After being informed that the Airport Traffic Control Tower at Northeast Wyoming Regional Airport is closed permanently, the FAA found it necessary to create new airspace and amend the existing airspace for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations at this airport.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) outlines changes to the airspace around Northeast Wyoming Regional Airport located in Gillette, WY. By revoking the previously designated Class D airspace, the FAA introduces a new Class E surface area and modifies existing Class E airspace. This reconfiguration aims to maintain and enhance aviation safety following the closure of the airport's control tower.
General Summary of the Document
The FAA's final rule regarding airspace modifications at the Northeast Wyoming Regional Airport is primarily a response to the operational changes brought about by the permanent closure of the airport's control tower. The elimination of Class D airspace and introduction of Class E airspace modifications are designed to support the safe navigation of aircraft operating under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). The changes are deemed to have minimal economic and environmental impacts, ensuring a smooth transition without major disruptions to existing air traffic procedures.
Significant Issues or Concerns
One issue identified relates to the lack of detailed financial information concerning the costs or resources needed to implement these airspace changes. Although the document suggests minimal economic impact, additional clarity on administrative or logistical costs could benefit the understanding of stakeholders.
Concerns were also raised regarding the procedural details for altering the airspace and the specific roles of the airport management team. The document briefly touches on these aspects but stops short of providing comprehensive guidance or a clear procedural outline, which could assist those directly affected by the changes.
The potential environmental impacts mentioned are supported by a general statement of non-significance, but the document does not delve into specific findings from the environmental review, which might help substantiate this conclusion.
Public Impact
Broadly speaking, the changes to airspace regulations are unlikely to directly affect the average citizen or community. However, the improved safety and efficiency for aircraft operations could have indirect benefits by reducing the incidence of air traffic disruptions and ensuring safer skies for air travelers.
From the perspective of specific stakeholders, such as the airport management team and aviation professionals, these changes could entail adjustments in operational protocols and communications. While they may benefit from streamlined and standardized procedures as a result of the new regulations, the lack of detailed process guidance could present initial challenges in adapting to these changes.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For aviation personnel, including pilots and air traffic controllers, the redefined airspace parameters should provide clearer operational guidelines, promoting safer and more efficient aircraft handling. The renovations are anticipated to positively impact these users by optimizing the safe management of IFR operations, particularly in the absence of a control tower.
Conversely, airport management may confront challenges in understanding and implementing these new regulations due to the previously mentioned lack of detailed logistical guidance. Constructive collaboration with FAA representatives could mitigate these issues by clarifying expectations and ensuring a seamless transition.
Overall, the FAA's regulatory adjustments are deemed necessary for maintaining air safety and efficiency, with minimal anticipated adverse effects. The absence of a control tower at the Northeast Wyoming Regional Airport necessitates these airspace changes, underscoring the agency's proactive role in safeguarding air traffic operations.
Issues
• The document does not specify the financial impact or costs associated with the airspace changes. Even if minimal, details about administrative costs or resource allocation would provide clarity.
• There is a concern raised by a commenter about lacking information on logistical and technical steps necessary for changing the airspace and the airport management team's role, but the document does not detail these processes comprehensively.
• The document mentions potential environmental impacts but does not provide specific details or data from the environmental review to support the claims of non-significance.
• The language regarding changes to the airspace, including terms like VOR/DME replacement, may be complex for laypersons not familiar with aviation terminology, potentially reducing public transparency.
• Potential implications for air traffic safety after removing the Class D airspace are discussed, but additional data or analyses on safety assessments before implementation may enhance understanding.
• Although the document addresses the public health crisis in terms of procedural adjustments, specific safety protocols or risk assessments related to COVID-19 could be elaborated.
• The rule is deemed non-controversial and of minimal economic effect, but further detail or examples could be provided to substantiate the assessment of economic impact.