AOPA fears Army proposal may lead to airspace changes

AOPA is highly concerned about an Army project in eastern Alaska that has the potential to limit general aviation access in an area already surrounded by special-use airspace (SUA). In response to the Army's draft environmental impact statement for a new training complex near Delta Junction, AOPA filed formal comments telling the Army it has failed to fully address the issue of SUA and its potential effects on general aviation in Alaska. AOPA is especially concerned that the Army will ask for more SUA after the training complex has been constructed, and the association has requested that any additional SUA be discussed now. Delta Junction is currently surrounded by a massive, low-level SUA area where three VFR corridors provide the only unrestricted GA access. AOPA also has requested that the Army participate in the highly successful Special-Use Airspace Information Service (SUAIS) to improve safety for both civil and military pilots.

January 14, 2005