AOPA backs win-win solutions for military restricted airspace in Georgia, Calif.

AOPA backs win-win solutions for military restricted airspace in Georgia, Calif.

California R2503-D proposal

Georgia R3007 proposal

Mar. 29, 2004 - AOPA is backing the creation of one restricted area in California and the modification of another in Georgia because, in each case, the result would actually improve general aviation operations around military training areas.

Near Camp Pendleton in southern California, close cooperation between the U.S. Marine Corps, the Southern California Airspace Working Group (of which AOPA is part), and local pilots, a new restricted area proposed on Friday may actually ease operations along the coastline.

"From the outset, the Marine Corps sought out the general aviation community and worked with us to minimize the impact of their proposal," said AOPA Manager of Air Traffic Heidi Williams. "As a result, we've got a proposal that will let the Marines train they way they fight while allowing GA pilots to use adjacent Victor airways."

The Marines want to replace the San Onofre High and Low military operations areas with a new restricted area, R-2503D, which will directly overly R-2503A, extending up to 11,000 feet, and would include a number of mitigation efforts.

The comment period for the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) closes on May 10, 2004. Pilots can read the NPRM and submit comments online by clicking on "Simple Search" and entering docket number 16722.

The FAA says radio frequencies and waypoints for operating around the special-use airspace will be published in the next charting cycle.

In Georgia, AOPA supports an Air Force proposal to eliminate the existing R-3007A and B and combine the remaining R-3007C and D into a single restricted area, freeing a Victor airway that currently runs through it.

"While the ceiling and times increase for R-3007, the restricted airspace becomes narrower," said Williams. "That means a smaller footprint over the area and more access for pilots."

The remaining restricted airspace will be reorganized. The ceiling of R-3007 would be raised from the current 13,000 feet msl to FL250, and the times would be increased to 7 a.m. until 10 p.m., Monday through Friday.

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