FR 2025-00629

General Summary

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a proposal to establish a specific type of airspace—known as Class E airspace—over North Conway, New Hampshire. This action is focused on the Memorial Hospital Heliport and involves airspace that starts 700 feet above the surface of the earth and spreads out in a 6-mile radius from the heliport. The reason for this proposal is to accommodate a new instrument approach procedure at the heliport, which will help manage and ensure the safety of flights operating under instrument flight rules (IFR). The FAA is seeking public input on this proposal until March 3, 2025.

Significant Issues and Concerns

One of the key concerns with this document is its highly technical nature, which might make it challenging for the general public to understand without a background in aviation or regulatory processes. The document includes legal references and explanations of authority citing parts of the United States Code, which could be simplified for better understanding. Additionally, while there is mention of an environmental review, the document lacks specific details about potential environmental impacts, an area often of interest and concern to stakeholders.

The necessity for establishing Class E airspace in North Conway is mentioned but not explained in depth, leaving a gap in understanding why this action is particularly critical for this location. Furthermore, although there are multiple methods for submitting comments, some options such as mailing or hand-delivery could be inconvenient for individuals without consistent internet access.

Impact on the Public

At a broad level, the creation of this airspace is likely to impact the public positively by enhancing safety and efficiency in flight operations at the Memorial Hospital Heliport. This could be particularly important for emergency medical transport, ensuring that flights are conducted safely even under challenging weather conditions. However, the public might face challenges in engaging with the proposal due to the complexity of the language used in the document and the technical nature of the content.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

For stakeholders in the aviation industry, particularly those involved in flight operations around North Conway, this proposed rule may offer operational benefits by clearly defining navigable airspace, thus potentially reducing the risk of airspace incursion and enhancing overall safety. However, aviation businesses and pilots will need to stay informed about these changes, possibly adjusting their procedures and training accordingly.

Environmental stakeholders might view the lack of detailed environmental impacts as a negative aspect, prompting calls for more transparent analyses. Communities in or near North Conway could be affected by changes in flight patterns, potentially impacting noise levels and local air quality, though such effects are not detailed herein.

Additionally, healthcare providers at Memorial Hospital could see advantages in improved airspace management, aiding in faster and safer patient transport. However, they and other local stakeholders may have concerns about the logistics and procedures involved in this regulatory change, particularly without adequate community engagement and information dissemination.