Sun, May 18, 2003
The FAA in
New England is calling on pilots to help alleviate air traffic
congestion in the vicinity of Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Martha's
Vineyard. Rather than trying to turn Nantucket's Class D airspace
into more restrictive Class C (a move AOPA fought hard against the
last time it was proposed), FAA instead has instituted a more
reasonable air traffic management plan for IFR traffic.
"AOPA is pleased to see the FAA looking for alternatives to
traditional rulemaking to deal with seasonal traffic congestion
around the cape and islands," said AOPA Manager of Air Traffic
Heidi Williams. " The initiatives being considered provide for
immediate relief using existing resources in a more practical
approach, rather than establishing new Class C airspace."
The letter from Cape Tracon, the radar facility that covers that
entire area, says, "The combination of IFR weather conditions and
increases in the demand for air traffic services will sometimes
cause a significant delay in your ability to obtain an IFR
clearance to Nantucket (ACK), Martha's Vineyard (MVY) or Hyannis
(HYA) Airports." It goes on to explain the traffic management plans
it intends to use and warns that air-filed IFR clearances may not
be possible during peak activity times.
Cape Tracon plans to use a special traffic management program
(STMP) to issue slot reservations for IFR traffic during times when
traffic volume is expected to exceed Nantucket's arrival capacity.
AOPA attended a briefing hosted by the FAA to discuss concerns
about the STMP and was assured that the program would be used as
little as possible. However, notification that slot reservations
will be required could go out as late as 1800 local the night
before the STMP is to be implemented. AOPA advises pilots planning
to fly to Nantucket to check them on morning of their flights to
see if the slot reservation system has been activated.
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