Michael Oliver Nieman

FAA Representative, My name is Michael Nieman. I am a student of Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green Ohio. I am an Aviation Management Student with an interest in Air Traffic Control. I am currently a senior in the program with some experience in Air Traffic Control. I am writing to express my view on the NPRM FAA-2008-1170. In this NPRM, Proposed Amendment of the Atlantic Low Offshore Airspace Area; East Coast United States, this action is to amend the Offshore Airspace Area located off the east coast of the United States, near New Jersey. Doing this will bring the elevation from 5,500 feet above sea level (the minimum allowed) to 1,700 feet above sea level. This would give more altitudes from air traffic control vector. Aircraft using these vectors are on arrival to Atlantic City. In the New Jersey, Air Traffic Control has viable coverage with in the airspace, and is covering minimum vectoring altitudes that are located in FAA-2008-1170. Within the same area, there are a multitude of aircraft using this airspace, including: ANG 177th Fighter Wing, CAP training flights as well as Coast Guard training missions. In this same airspace the controllers perform numerous IFR operations. All of these services are provided 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Giving ACT the additional airspace would provide many aircraft flying under the previous cutoff (5,550 feet) safe guidance into Atlantic City, New Jersey. Also by lowering the minimal altitude this would increase ATC operations within this area and strengthen the Air Traffic flow through this area. I do realize this would give additional rules for ATC to follow, mainly the rules enforced by ICAO, but I do think that the additions of these vectors are worth the rules and regulations that this will bring. After reading this proposal and doing some research of my own, I am in support of the addition of added vectors to protect aircraft flying under the standard minimum airspace of 5,500 feet. I believe this proposal is necessary to strengthen the ATC operation and airspace in and around this country. By adding additional coverage within this area of the Unites States’ airspace, it is one step closer to better and safer airways. I would also like to thank the FAA for taking the time in reading this letter in regards to the proposed NPRM. Sincerely, Michael Nieman Aviation Management Major Bowling Green State University