The proposed modification of a military operations area (MOA) straddling portions of western Kansas and eastern Colorado should be further refined to reduce the impact on general aviation, AOPA said, urging members to submit comments on the plan by May 30.
Joint Force Headquarters-Colorado is seeking comments on the draft environmental assessment for modifying the Cheyenne MOA airspace, and has published a preliminary finding that the plan would have no significant impact.
AOPA will submit formal comments on the modification, still concerned that the draft plan would make two Victor airways unusable to IFR aircraft during times of MOA use. The association will request further mitigation of the impact.
As shown in the accompanying diagram, the Cheyenne Low and High MOAs would become Cougar Low and High MOAs, and Bobcat High MOA. The existing MOA floor would be raised from 300 feet agl to 500 feet agl. Within the airspace training areas, with a few exceptions, military aircraft would fly no lower than 1,000 feel msl at night, and up to 18,000 feet msl. An existing 1,500-foot agl cut-out within five nautical miles of the Windy Plains Airport would be preserved.
Military operations would take place in two-to-three hour blocks from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
Please also share a copy of your comments with AOPA.
