Thu, Jul 26, 2007
A July Surprise At AirVenture 2007
ANN REALTIME REPORTING 07.26.07 1305 OSHKOSH (CDT)
TIME: The ADIZ isn't gone, but it is smaller. In what will
be her last "Meet The Administrator" forum as the head of the FAA,
Marion Blakey sought to placate general aviation pilots -- smarting
over the past several months from her apparent position reversal on
user fees -- by dropping a bombshell: the Washington Air Defense
Identification Zone (ADIZ) will soon be a lot smaller.
In response to public hearings and comments on the matter ,
effective August 30, the ADIZ will lose its current "Mickey Mouse"
shape, and instead revert to a circular zone, 30 nautical miles in
radius, centered over the Washington, DC VOR. The FAA will also
modify the Flight Restricted Zone (FRZ) to accommodate the Dulles
downwind, and the GA corridor between Fort Meade and
Gaithersburg.
"We did this because of your comments and positive
recommendations," said Blakey. "In my view, that GA corridor
previously was just too small for the volume of traffic moving
through it."
Blakey noted the ADIZ change frees up 33 major general aviation
airports, and 1,800 square miles of airspace. The revision also
lifts the fringes of the current ADIZ over Leesburg Executive
Airport in Virginia (KJYO.)
"Score one for GA. You were right on each count," the
Administrator (below) said. "This new ADIZ doesn’t diminish
security. It’s safer. And it’s one more example of the
FAA, Homeland Security, DoD and the GA community working together
to do the right thing. So kudos to you."
ANN will have a LOT more detail on the Administrator's speech
Thursday, including Ms. Blakey's response to what one audience
member (yeah, it was Jim) termed "the elephant in the room" -- user
fees. Stay tuned.
More News
Hazardous Weather Information Summary of significant meteorological information (SIGMET/WS), convective significant meteorological information (convective SIGMET/WST), urgent pilot>[...]
Aero Linx: The T-6 Racing Association The T-6 Racing Association is all about T-6‘s and racing. Our mission is to bring great racing to our fans in Reno and other venues wher>[...]
Also: Electra Aero, AMO-CBP v Smugglers, Naval King Airs, Boeing Deal To the surprise of everyone involved, Waco Kitchen shut down both airport operations with little warning and h>[...]
Also: WACO Kitchen Bails, French SportPlane Mfr to FL, Dynon-Advance Flight Systems, Innovation Preview Bobby Bailey, a bit of a fixture in sport aviation circles for his work with>[...]
Also: Virgin Galactic, B-29 Doc to Allentown, Erickson Fire-Fighters Bought, FAA Reauthorization After dealing with a big letdown after the unexpected decision by Skyreach to disco>[...]