Two restricted areas in coastal Louisiana and Texas will be deactivated and removed from charts on Jan.13, 2011.
The FAA published a final rule Oct. 28 that removes Restricted Areas R-3807 in Glencoe, La., and R-6320 in Matagorda, Texas. Both restricted areas were established to contain aerostat balloons used to detect illegal entry across the southern U.S. border.
The detection equipment is currently inoperative and the Air Force does not plan to replace it, said the notice.
Eliminating the restricted areas, both of which have ceilings of 15,000 feet msl and are located in Gulf Coast areas popular with general aviation pilots, will improve GA access to the areas.
AOPA supports and appreciates the efforts by the Air Force and the FAA to restore unused and unneeded airspace back to the National Airspace System.
The airspace changes become effective at 0901Z on Jan. 13, 2011, and will be reflected in the corresponding charting cycle.
