Flight Planning
Bridge plans affect Kansas City downtown airport
Plans to replace Kansas City’s Paseo Bridge with a new bridge that’s 150 feet taller could force major operational changes at Charles B. Wheeler/Kansas City Downtown Airport.
As proposed, the New Paseo Bridge would force all VFR traffic pattern operations to move to the west side of the airport, potentially limiting flight training operations, causing peak-time congestion, forcing extended downwind pattern legs, and creating noise problems for surrounding residential communities. In addition, the 249-foot-tall bridge would need to be lighted and marked—provisions not in the current development plan.
The Missouri Department of Transportation has filed an Obstruction Evaluation with the FAA, and AOPA plans to file comments opposing the plan.
Members who use the airport are encouraged to file their own comments with the FAA before March 2. Include the OE No. 2008-ACE-295-OE in your comments and send them to the FAA Air Traffic Airspace Branch, ASW-520, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, TX, 76137-0520. Please e-mail a copy of your comments to AOPA.
January 30, 2008
