 |
| Photo: FAA |
[Avionics Today 09-06-2016] The FAA’s effort to modernize Southern California’s airspace is moving forward. The FAA has issued a Finding of No Significant Impact/Record of Decision for the Southern California Metroplex project. The decision enables the agency to proceed with the project, which includes 99 new satellite-based procedures, including 41 departures, 37 arrivals and 21 approach procedures that guide aircraft down until they are very close to their destination airports.
Many of the current air traffic procedures in Southern California are decades old. While they are all safe, some are inefficient because they rely on ground-based navigation aids, which limit available flight paths. The modernization aims to increase efficiency and throughput at airports in the region.
The FAA plans to begin working immediately toward phasing in use of the procedures, starting in November 2016 and continuing through April 2017.