Proposal to expand Anchorage Class C available for review

Several years in the making, this proposal modifies the boundaries of the airspace to accommodate changes associated with the expansion of the north/south runway at Elmendorf Air Force Base. This change has triggered a massive review and redesign of the arrival and departure procedures for all the Anchorage airports, in coordination with the changes to the airspace. 

In accordance with normal procedures for a change of this magnitude, the FAA established an ad hoc committee representing a cross-section of airspace stakeholders to consider the initial airspace change proposal. The committee, co-chaired by Alex Moss from the Anchorage International Airport and Adam White with the Alaska Airmen’s Association, involved about two dozen people representing general aviation, commercial operators, airlines, and air cargo carriers including users from the different area airports. The group reviewed data provided by the FAA over a five-month period, ultimately making a detailed set of recommendations to the FAA with significant revisions to the initial proposal. One of the key considerations for GA users was to provide access to Lake Hood Airport, Merrill Field, and other area airports by aircraft that don’t meet the ADS-B equipage requirements to operate in Class C airspace. Most of the proposed revisions were adopted and are reflected in the current proposal. 

Providing feedback

AOPA actively participated in the ad hoc process and, while we believe the current proposal is much improved over the FAA’s initial plan, there may be additional areas that need to be addressed. With most of the FAR Part 93 airspace surrounding the Anchorage bowl going away, we have requested VFR routes be established, both inside the airspace and allowing pilots to avoid the airspace, since there is a large amount of traffic that doesn’t use instrument procedures. 

The FAA will now hold informal airspace meetings to obtain comments on the proposal, prior to issuing a formal airspace change notification. Two virtual meetings are scheduled where the proposal will be presented, along with a discussion and questions: on September 23, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Alaska time and September 24, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. local time. Sign and get the Zoom meeting link online. Comments must be received by October 24. Additional information is available on the FAA website.