Overview
Title
Amendment of Class E Airspace; Kankakee, IL
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The FAA made changes to the airspace around an airport in Kankakee, Illinois because they stopped using an old navigation system. This makes flying safer and easier there.
Summary AI
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced a final rule changing the Class E airspace around Greater Kankakee Airport in Illinois. This change is due to a review triggered by the shutting down of the Kankakee VOR navigation aid, part of a larger program. The modification alters the size and structure of the airspace to enhance safety and efficiency at the airport. The rule is designed to be non-controversial, with minimal impact on small businesses, and doesn't require a detailed environmental review.
Abstract
This action amends the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Greater Kankakee Airport, Kankakee, IL. This action is the result of an airspace review caused by the decommissioning of the Kankakee VHF omnidirectional range (VOR) navigation aid as part of the VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) Program.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document from the Federal Register deals with a recent regulatory change by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) concerning the airspace around Greater Kankakee Airport in Kankakee, Illinois. This adjustment to Class E airspace arose due to the decommissioning of a navigation aid called the Kankakee VHF omnidirectional range (VOR). This change is part of the broader VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) Program, aimed at updating and optimizing air navigation facilities across the country.
General Summary
The FAA has issued a final rule to amend the airspace around Greater Kankakee Airport. This amendment is largely technical in nature, focusing on the Class E airspace starting from 700 feet above the ground. The change involves shrinking the radius of this airspace from 7 miles to 6.6 miles and adjusting the southwestern extends from 16.6 miles to 16.8 miles. Moreover, the Kankakee VOR/DME, a navigation aid, and its related airspace extensions are removed from the airspace description as it has been decommissioned.
Significant Issues or Concerns
A considerable challenge of this document is its reliance on technical jargon related to aviation and airspace management. The use of complex regulatory references such as FAA Order 7400.11E, 14 CFR 71.1, and specific geographical coordinates may not be easily understood by the general public. Additionally, the VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) Program, central to this rule change, lacks substantial explanation, which could help clarify the scope and intent of the adjustments.
Impact on the Public
For the general public, the implications of this airspace adjustment might seem subtle and imperceptible. The amendment primarily influences the aviation community, specifically in how pilots navigate near the Kankakee airport and the procedures they follow during flight operations. While the public flying into or out of this airport might not notice direct changes, the updates enhance safety and efficiency in the airspace, potentially reducing flight delays or disruptions caused by navigation system updates.
Impact on Stakeholders
The primary stakeholders affected by this regulation are pilots, airlines, and aviation professionals who operate in and around the Greater Kankakee Airport. For these individuals and organizations, the amendments mean a need to update flight training and navigation procedures to align with the new airspace configurations. Although these changes are routine, they necessitate briefings and possible retraining efforts.
On a broader scale, the VOR MON program signifies FAA's ongoing efforts to modernize the national airspace system, which might positively influence long-term operational efficiency and safety. However, stakeholders relying on traditional VOR navigation might face temporary adjustment challenges as newer technologies are adopted.
In summation, while these technical amendments might not be readily noticeable to the layperson, they reflect FAA's commitment to evolving airspace management and operational safety. The changes signify progress towards a more modern navigation infrastructure, albeit with an interim adjustment period for specific aviation stakeholders.
Issues
• The document uses technical language related to aviation and airspace, which may be complex and difficult to understand for those not familiar with aviation regulations.
• The document references multiple codes, orders, and regulations (e.g., FAA Order 7400.11E, 14 CFR 71.1), which may be unclear to readers who are not experts in federal aviation regulations.
• The document does not provide a detailed explanation of the VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) Program, which could help readers understand the context of the airspace review and amendments.
• Details such as specific coordinates and bearings (e.g., Lat. 41°04′17″ N, long. 87°50′47″ W) may be too technical for general audiences, though necessary for precise legal and operational purposes.