Member Alert: The FAA has issued notams restricting large areas of airspace near Washington, D.C., and Chicago from May 18 through 21. Pilots should carefully review the notams before flying in the vicinity of the TFRs.

Government Advocacy

FAA to restore nav options in northern Minnesota


By AOPA ePublishing staff

In an effort to restore navigation options to the Bemidji, Minn., area, the FAA has issued a notice of proposed rulemaking that will allow the agency to establish an airway intersection reporting point over the Bemidji VOR, which is out of service.

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The Bemidji VOR, located at Bemidji Regional Airport, has been out of service for two years because of terrain and construction projects interfering with the VOR’s signal, and it is slated for decommissioning. The FAA will amend the legal description of Victor airways V-82, V-175, V-191, and V-430, and create an airway intersection reporting point so that pilots flying through the area under IFR can enjoy more direct routing, less fuel burn, and additional navigation options.

“AOPA applauds the FAA’s efforts to restore navigation options available to pilots in northern Minnesota,” said Tom Kramer, AOPA manager of air traffic services.

Pilots have until June 21 to comment on the proposal. Comments can be submitted online; identify FAA Docket No. FAA-2010-0241 and Airspace Docket No. 10-AGL-4 at the beginning of the comments.


May 6, 2010