Phoenix Class Bravo Redesign

Champcar

Champcar

Well-Known Member
Well I know we have a bunch of PHXers here. The FAA has been trying to change the bravo around for awhile and IT has shown up again. What do you think of the changes?

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FAA ignores GA users in Phoenix Class B redesign

Redesigning Class B airspace is like reshaping an iceberg. One wrong move and somebody can get hurt. So why isn't the FAA listening to the airspace users who know all the contours?
A complex proposal surfaced Monday. The Phoenix Tracon has been pushing to change its Class B airspace. Back in July, AOPA presented a simpler plan — one that was supported widely by the aviation community — but the FAA ignored it in the published document.
"It's not totally surprising, but at the same time it's extremely frustrating," said Heidi Williams, AOPA director of air traffic services. "On top of that, they're talking about moving an important flyway without providing specifics."
The tracon said it was concerned about alleged traffic conflicts between airliners descending for landing at Sky Harbor Airport and GA traffic using an established VFR flyway east of the airport. Instead of heeding the GA user's plan, the FAA wants to move the flyway. But where?
"I've already contacted the FAA," Williams said. "We need more details."
The GA user's plan would align many of the sectors with ground features or navaids, making it much easier for pilots to locate sector boundaries and remain in the appropriate airspace. The tracon plan would create a much more complex airspace, most likely leading to more inadvertent incursions.
While AOPA does support the FAA's intent of lowering the ceiling of the Class B airspace from 10,000 to 9,000 feet, AOPA is concerned about control issues regarding Falcon Field's Class D airspace. And lowering part of the floor east of Phoenix would compress traffic over noise-sensitive areas or force pilots to climb over higher terrain.
"We need to be good neighbors, but we also need to ensure safety," Williams added.
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Are people generally against it? From looking at the proposal over the current TAC, I actually like it. I like what the proposal is for the airspace near the Estrellas, southeast of GYR. And I also like from the surface area to where Chandler blvd is, that the floor is increased to 4000.

Only thing I don't like is the airspace for the arrivals from the southeast, just south of Gateway. But I suppose it's not that big of a deal since we rarely get above 7k in the practice area.

Other opinions?
 
CamYZ125 said:
Are people generally against it? From looking at the proposal over the current TAC, I actually like it. I like what the proposal is for the airspace near the Estrellas, southeast of GYR. And I also like from the surface area to where Chandler blvd is, that the floor is increased to 4000.

Only thing I don't like is the airspace for the arrivals from the southeast, just south of Gateway. But I suppose it's not that big of a deal since we rarely get above 7k in the practice area.

Other opinions?
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It's been awhile since I've flown into Steller, but I seem to remember the Class B near there was something you had to be aware of.
 
Only up to 9k still huh? Interesting.

Hope this change is actually beneficial to the local training environments.
 
I don't have any problem with the new Bravo. Lowering the top down to 9K will help alot, specially during summer getting over the top.

What I do have a problem with is Luke AFB wanting there own Terminal Area that would take over the whole North West Practice Area.
 
whaleroast said:
It's been awhile since I've flown into Steller, but I seem to remember the Class B near there was something you had to be aware of.
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You just couldn't climb above 3,000 if you went north of the runway (and chandler blvd) much. Looks like the proposal would bring it up to 4k, which would be nice for people who fly out of P19.
 
That arrival corridor south of IWA looks like crap. There is a good reason for it as we got really close to some arrivals when I was instructing out there. I know it's not normal to get above 7K but when you need a 6000 AGL deck to complete an engine shutdown, when it's hot, I normally started at 9000 or 10000. I guess multi ops will just have to move farther south.
 
CamYZ125 said:
You just couldn't climb above 3,000 if you went north of the runway (and chandler blvd) much. Looks like the proposal would bring it up to 4k, which would be nice for people who fly out of P19.
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I loved flying into that airport. I agree, raising the shelf there is a good idea.
 
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