Overview
Title
Modification of Class D Airspace; Revocation of Class E Airspace; Centennial Airport, Denver, CO
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The FAA changed some rules about the airspace near an airport in Denver, Colorado, to make it safer for planes to land and take off. They also updated some details about the airport's location.
Summary AI
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a final rule affecting the airspace around Centennial Airport in Denver, Colorado. The rule modifies the Class D airspace boundaries and revokes the Class E airspace extension. These changes aim to better support both instrument and visual flight operations. Additionally, the airport's legal description has been updated to reflect Denver as the correct city and adjusted the geographic coordinates.
Abstract
This action modifies Class D airspace and revokes Class E airspace designated as an extension to a Class D or Class E surface area at Centennial Airport (APA), Denver, CO. Additionally, this action amends the text associated with Centennial Airport's legal description. This action supports instrument flight rules (IFR) and visual flight rules (VFR) operations at the airport.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document outlines a final rule by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding adjustments in airspace around Centennial Airport in Denver, Colorado. The rule modifies the boundaries of Class D airspace, which refers to controlled airspace surrounding an airport, and revokes the extension of Class E airspace, typically used for en route traffic. These changes are intended to enhance both instrument flight rules (IFR) and visual flight rules (VFR) operations at Centennial Airport. Additionally, the airport's legal description has been updated to accurately reflect its location in Denver and adjust geographic coordinates.
Summary of Changes
The FAA's modification alters the lateral boundaries of Class D airspace, expanding and merging it with the nearby Buckley Space Force Base's airspace. This adjustment affects how VFR aircraft transit through the airspace, necessitating the use of 500 feet of Class E airspace between Buckley's Class D airspace and Denver’s Class B airspace. Moreover, changes extend Centennial's Class D airspace to ensure better containment of aircraft during takeoff and landing, enhancing safety by accounting for the surrounding terrain.
Significant Issues and Concerns
While the document introduces technical adjustments to airspace regulations, it lacks a detailed cost analysis or financial impact statement. Understanding the fiscal implications of such regulatory changes could clarify potential economic impacts on small entities or local stakeholders.
The text employs specialized aviation terminology, such as "Class D airspace" and "MSL" (Mean Sea Level), without providing definitions, which might challenge the understanding of general readers. There's also minimal elaboration on the environmental review process, merely stating that the action qualifies for categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act without detailing the criteria or justification, potentially limiting transparency.
Furthermore, the document references several legislative orders and FAA manuals without explaining their significance or content, making it potentially difficult for individuals unfamiliar with these documents to grasp their relevance in the rule changes.
Potential Impact on the Public
For the broader public, particularly those living in the vicinity of Centennial Airport, these airspace modifications might lead to changes in flight patterns, which could affect local noise levels and air quality. However, the FAA's provision of clear airspace boundaries aims to enhance the safety and efficiency of flight operations, potentially reducing the risk of aviation-related incidents.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Specific stakeholders, including pilots, airlines operating out of Centennial Airport, and nearby military aviation facilities, could see both positive and negative impacts. Pilots and airlines might benefit from improved operational safety due to clearly defined and safer airspace stipulations. Yet, given the absence of a detailed financial impact assessment, these changes could introduce unforeseen costs related to additional training or operational adjustments.
Military operations at Buckley Space Force Base may find the newly defined airspace boundaries beneficial for coordination with civil aviation, although adjustments in operational procedures will likely be necessary. The omission of stakeholders directly benefiting from the airspace changes raises questions about potential favoritism or preferential considerations.
Overall, while the FAA’s rule aims to enhance aviation safety and efficiency around Centennial Airport, the document could benefit from greater transparency, clearer explanations of technical terms, and a comprehensive analysis of economic and environmental impacts.
Issues
• The document does not provide a cost analysis or financial impact statement, which might help in identifying any potential wasteful spending.
• The document lacks explicit mention of any stakeholders or specific organizations potentially benefiting from the airspace modifications, which could help identify favoritism.
• There is use of technical terminology such as 'Class D airspace', 'Class E airspace', and 'MSL' without lay explanations, which could be difficult for general readers to understand.
• The environmental review section briefly states categorical exclusion without elaborating on the criteria or process used to determine this exclusion, which could be seen as lacking transparency.
• The amendment details rely heavily on geographical coordinates without a visual or simplified explanation, which might be difficult for non-expert readers to comprehend.
• The document references multiple pieces of legislation and orders (e.g., FAA Order JO 7400.11J) without elaborating on their content or relevance, potentially complicating understanding for those not familiar with these documents.