Pilots flying to Outer Banks, North Carolina, finally could be getting IFR access to the area. The FAA is proposing to establish a new low altitude area navigation (RNAV) route and to remove unusable airway segments that are based on nondirectional beacons (NDBs) that no longer exist.
"AOPA has been requesting RNAV routes for more than four years - ever since the NDB airways became unusable, essentially eliminating most IFR access to the area," said Heidi Williams, AOPA director of air traffic services. "AOPA worked with the FAA and military officials at nearby Cherry Point to draft a route that would benefit civilian and military pilots."
The route, which would be designated T-243, would lead to the initial approach fix into Billy Mitchell Airport in Hatteras and Ocracoke Island Airport in Ocracoke.
AOPA will be filing official comments in support of the proposed RNAV route and encourages members to submit comments before the May 1 deadline. Please put FAA Docket No. FAA-2006-24027 and Airspace Docket No. 06-ASO-1 at the beginning of your comments.
Comments can be sent to:
Docket Management System
U.S. Department of Transportation
Room Plaza 401, 400 7th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20590-0001
March 23, 2006