Overview
Title
Amendment of Class E Airspace; Smith Center, KS
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The FAA is changing the airspace rules around Smith Center, Kansas, to help planes fly safely without using an old system called Mankato VOR. They're making sure everything matches their maps and won't cause big changes or problems for the environment.
Summary AI
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a final rule to amend the Class E airspace at Smith Center, Kansas. This change results from the removal of the Mankato VOR as part of a larger network program, and it aligns the airport’s geographic coordinates with the FAA's database. The amendment ensures compliance with FAA orders and supports instrument flight rule operations, with no significant economic or environmental impacts anticipated. The update takes effect on April 17, 2025, expanding the airspace radius slightly and updating its coordinates.
Abstract
This action amends the Class E airspace at Smith Center, KS. This action is the result of an airspace review conducted due to the decommissioning of the Mankato very high frequency omnidirectional range (VOR) as part of the VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) Program. This action also updates the geographic coordinates of the airport to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database. This action brings the airspace into compliance with FAA orders and supports instrument flight rule (IFR) procedures and operations.
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AnalysisAI
Overview of the Document
This document is a final rule issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) concerning the amendment of Class E airspace around Smith Center, Kansas. The modification results from the decommissioning of the Mankato VOR as part of a broader program and an update to the geographical coordinates to reflect the FAA's aeronautical database accurately. The effective date for these changes is April 17, 2025. This amendment aims to align the airspace usage with existing FAA regulations to support instrument flight rule (IFR) operations without significant economic or environmental impacts.
Significant Issues and Concerns
Several concerns arise from the document. Firstly, the rationale behind adjusting the airspace radius from 6.4 miles to 6.5 miles lacks a transparent explanation, which could lead to confusion or queries about the necessity of such a change. Additionally, the document does not discuss potential cost implications or the impact on public spending resulting from this amendment. For individuals unfamiliar with aviation jargon, terms like VOR and IFR are not defined, which may impede understanding for laypersons. Furthermore, while referencing FAA Order JO 7400.11J, the document does not provide direct links or easy access to this order's details, making it difficult to understand the full implications of the legislative changes.
Public Impact
Broadly, the amendment of airspace pertains primarily to aviation professionals and could have little direct impact on the general public. Nevertheless, it supports aviation safety and efficiency, which can indirectly benefit public travel safety. The document underscores that this rule does not have significant economic or environmental repercussions, suggesting minimal direct adverse effects on the public.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For aviation stakeholders, such as pilots and airlines flying into or out of Smith Center Municipal Airport, the amendment ensures that airspace management aligns with current FAA standards, potentially enhancing navigational safety and precision. However, for airport administrative bodies and aviation businesses potentially affected by these modifications, the lack of transparency around specific changes and their justifications might present challenges in adapting to new operational guidelines. Furthermore, without details on any financial impact, these stakeholders may face unexpected adjustments.
The amendment aligns airspace management with national standards, thereby positively contributing to the broader goal of safe and efficient aviation operations. Yet, the ambiguity around certain decisions and lack of accessible references could hinder thorough understanding and smooth implementation by those directly involved in aviation activities.
Issues
• The document does not provide a detailed explanation of why the radius adjustment from 6.4 miles to 6.5 miles is necessary, potentially lacking transparency in justifying this change.
• There is no mention of any cost implications or budgetary impact due to the airspace amendment, which might be important information related to public spending.
• The document assumes familiarity with technical terms and references (e.g., VOR, IFR) without providing definitions or explanations, which might be challenging for laypersons.
• The document references FAA Order JO 7400.11J and incorporation by reference, but it does not provide easy access or direct citations to this order or its content, which could aid in understanding the implications of the changes.