Sun, Sep 30, 2012
Proximity To Portland International Prompted The Proposed Change
Vancouver's Pearson Airport (KVUO) sits near the banks of the Columbia River which makes up the border between Oregon and Washington State. So does Portland International Airport, just a couple of miles away, on the Oregon side of the river. While planes have been operating from KVUO for more than 100 years, pilots using the airport are concerned that new airspace restrictions proposed by the FAA may leave them without a home.
The two airports have operated in close proximity without an incident for 75 years, according to a report appearing on NWCN.com. The new plan was to have gone into effect October 1, but the agency has re-opened comments on the plan after receiving complaints from local pilots.
Pearson Field Airport Manager Willy Williamson said that the airport generates some $27 million for the local economy when operations at the airport and the museum on the grounds are considered. Williamson said that the flight restrictions could delay pilots inbound for landing at the uncontrolled airfield, forcing them to circle over residential neighborhoods while they wait for clearance from Portland. That "basically puts the airport out of business," Williamson said.
Local officials say the answer to the problem is to build and staff a control tower at KVUO. Williamson said that "mitigates all the airspace concerns," as well as those about FAA compliance with its own regulations.
In a statement, the FAA said it is continuing to "engage stakeholders to understand their concerns. Safety remains the FAA’s top priority."
More News
Also: B-29 Superfortress Reunion, FAA Wants Controllers, Spirit Airlines Pulls Back, Gogo Galileo Van's Aircraft posted a short video recapping the goings-on around their reorganiz>[...]
Light Gun A handheld directional light signaling device which emits a brilliant narrow beam of white, green, or red light as selected by the tower controller. The color and type of>[...]
"The journey to this achievement started nearly a decade ago when a freshly commissioned Gentry, driven by a fascination with new technologies and a desire to contribute significan>[...]
"Our driven and innovative team of military and civilian Airmen delivers combat power daily, ensuring our nation is ready today and tomorrow." Source: General Duke Richardson, AFMC>[...]
Aircraft Conflict Predicted conflict, within EDST of two aircraft, or between aircraft and airspace. A Red alert is used for conflicts when the predicted minimum separation is 5 na>[...]