Robert Stapleton

Docket No. FAA–2012–0433;This proposal by the FAA needs more time to study the effects to safe flight under VFR conditions. Alaska has recently experienced increased midair collision accidents, creating Class D airspace will force aircraft closer together up against rising terrain in a high volume traffic area. The U.S. Army operates Bryant Airfield (PAFR) which lies northeast of Downtown Anchorage and is approximately 3 nautical miles the same direction from Merrill Field (PAMR) which has its own Class D Airspace. Bryant Airfield has its own segment that lies next to Elmendorf Air Force Base airspace. Called the Bryant Segment it borders the Elmendorf segment to the west and borders restricted airspace R-2203A to the North. Class “D” airspace is defined as an invisible cylinder that starts at the surface and extends up 2,500 feet with a radius of 4-nautical miles, and requires radio contact before entering and transiting the airspace. The current flow of general aviation traffic flows east of the Glen Highway that borders Bryant running northeast and southwest. Traffic to and from Merrill Field flying north is advised to fly east of the Glen Highway which acts as a venturi between the special use airspace and the mountains. The air traffic flow is forced into this corridor due to the rising terrain of the 5-6000 ft. Chugach Mountains directly east. Elmendorf, Bryant segments and the 2203A Restricted airspace also force general aviation traffic to the east. This corridor has recorded heavy Visual Flight Rule traffic of 150-200 aircraft movements an hour during peak usage, according to aviation sectional maps. According to the AOPA the Army cites increased military traffic and other airports near this corridor as a need for the Class “D” airspace. The area is a well-known helicopter use area and the 2203 is a jump zone for military C-17 and Sherpa use. The area in question to the east that will be affected is a common flight path for VFR general aviation traffic.