I have been flying for over 30 years and own a Cirrus SR22 based at North Las Vegas airport (KVGT). KVGT is one of two GA airports in Las Vegas Class B. I have a commercial license rated for instrument flight, multi-engine, glider and seaplane operations.
The proposed changes for aircraft departing and arriving into KVGT pose significant saftey hazards.
The FAA proposes lowering the floors of Area F and created a new restrictive sector, area R south of F. This makes the Rocks route (western corridor for VFR traffic) more challenging when flying north into KVGT, even in VFR. I do like raising the floor of area T as northbound flights are uncomfortably close to terrain in that sector (there's a 4980 peak near area T). I would also like to see the floor of area I (which is in and around KVGT) raised from 4500 to 5000 ft to accommodate SW departures from KVGT. Currently departures from VGT are limited to under 4500 feet and less than 200 degrees heading forcing steep climbs after exiting Bravo to get over southbound terrain which raises to 7000-8000 ft.
Eastbound departures and westbound arrivals into KVGT are now more challenging due to lowering of floors in areas C, D, O and P. Here you are squeezed between Nellis and McCarran traffic as well as terrain which is challenging even in VFR conditions. Because of the high surrounding terrain, there is very little room to maneuver to avoid sudden changes in fast moving aircraft operating in/out of Nellis. I've experienced this problem on numerous occasions.
The proposed changes present significant safety issues for GA traffic departing and arriving into KVGT during the day and certainly unacceptable risks at night. These changes will discourage GA fight operations into KVGT for servicing such as Lone Mountain Aviation, a major Cirrus Aircraft Service center in the SW region.
Related Comments
Total: 4
Charles Rath Public SubmissionPosted: 01/22/2013
ID: FAA-2012-0966-0007
Dorian Albert De Maio
This is comment on Proposed Rule
Modifications of Class B Airspace: Las Vegas, NV
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