FR 2021-02318

Overview

Title

Amendment of Class E Airspace; Dumas, AR

Agencies

ELI5 AI

The government has changed the flying rules for planes at an airport in Dumas, Arkansas, to make flying safer after an old piece of equipment that helped pilots navigate was turned off.

Summary AI

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a final rule to modify Class E airspace at Billy Free Municipal Airport in Dumas, Arkansas. This change is part of a broader initiative triggered by the decommissioning of the Monticello VOR navigation aid, as per the VOR Minimum Operational Network Program. The amendment removes references to Monticello VOR and the city of Dumas from the airspace description to enhance the safety and efficiency of aircraft operations in the area. The rule takes effect on April 22, 2021, ensuring the updates are incorporated into FAA's official documents.

Abstract

This action amends Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Billy Free Municipal Airport, Dumas, AR. This action is the result of airspace reviews caused by the decommissioning of the Monticello very high frequency omnidirectional range (VOR) navigational aid as part of the VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) Program.

Type: Rule
Citation: 86 FR 10803
Document #: 2021-02318
Date:
Volume: 86
Pages: 10803-10804

AnalysisAI

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has released a final rule as a part of its ongoing efforts to manage and regulate airspace effectively. This specific amendment adjusts the Class E airspace at Billy Free Municipal Airport in Dumas, Arkansas. The change is connected to the nationwide decommissioning of the Monticello VOR (Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range), a type of navigational aid, under the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network Program.

General Summary

This document outlines a rule that modifies the existing airspace regulations, particularly for the Billy Free Municipal Airport. Due to the decommissioning of the Monticello VOR, the FAA has updated the airspace classification to remove references to this navigational aid and the associated city of Monticello from its legal descriptions. These changes aim to maintain the efficient and safe use of airspace, which is a critical responsibility under FAA's statutory authority.

Significant Issues or Concerns

While the document provides an overview of the regulatory changes, several potential concerns arise:

  1. Financial Implications: The rule does not include an analysis of potential costs or savings. Without this information, stakeholders might find it challenging to grasp the economic impact of the changes.

  2. Stakeholder Impact: Specific stakeholders or groups directly affected by this amendment are not mentioned. Understanding who benefits or is disadvantaged by these changes could reveal any implicit biases in the rulemaking process.

  3. Technical Language: The document is highly technical, making it difficult for individuals without an aviation background to comprehend fully. This limits accessibility for the public, which might depend on this information for navigating or understanding air transport routes.

  4. Environmental Analysis: Though the document briefly states that there will be no significant environmental impacts, it lacks a comprehensive analysis or evidence to support this assertion. This omission might lead to concerns among environmental advocates or the public who prioritize environmental considerations.

Impact on the Public Broadly

For the general public, these amendments may seem esoteric but are essential in ensuring the continued safety of air travel. Pilots and airlines operating in and out of Dumas, Arkansas, are directly affected as they rely on these regulatory updates to plan their routes and manage flights safely. However, due to the complexity and specificity of the rule, those outside the aviation industry may not notice or feel an impact from these changes.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

This amendment primarily affects aviation professionals, including pilots, air traffic controllers, and airlines operating in and around Dumas, Arkansas. By removing outdated navigational references, the FAA strives to enhance safety and operational efficiency, which is beneficial for these groups. Additionally, businesses relying on the airport for logistics may indirectly benefit from improved airspace regulations, even though the immediate changes may not affect broader communal concerns.

In summary, while the FAA's rule provides necessary updates for maintaining aviation safety, it lacks detailed financial and environmental analyses that could offer a more rounded understanding of the implications. Enhancing the accessibility and transparency of such documents would help bridge the gap between technical regulations and public comprehension.

Issues

  • • The document does not provide a detailed breakdown of potential costs or savings resulting from the airspace amendment, which could help understand any financial implications.

  • • There is no mention of specific stakeholders or organizations that might be particularly affected or benefit from this amendment, leaving room for potential bias or favoritism.

  • • The language used in the document is technical and may be difficult for individuals without aviation or regulatory expertise to fully understand, limiting broader public comprehension.

  • • The document briefly mentions environmental considerations but does not provide detailed analysis or evidence to support the claim that there are no significant environmental impacts.

Statistics

Size

Pages: 2
Words: 1,343
Sentences: 44
Entities: 159

Language

Nouns: 500
Verbs: 83
Adjectives: 51
Adverbs: 18
Numbers: 99

Complexity

Average Token Length:
4.73
Average Sentence Length:
30.52
Token Entropy:
5.41
Readability (ARI):
19.60

Reading Time

about 4 minutes