FAA Backs Off

   There has been progress towards resolving recent disputes concerning overflights issues between the National Park Service and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). In a letter to the FAA last September, Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Robert Chandler expressed concern about new helicopter routes established by the FAA, and of the FAA’s practice of directing air traffic into the “flight-free” zones. In a meeting held December 17th, Chandler met with FAA officials, including Jack Washington, Manager of Las Vegas Flight Standards District Office. According to Washington, the meeting resulted in agreement on 4 resolutions:

   Flight Free Zones will not be penetrated to resolve overflow air traffic problems. The FAA will establish a “working group” to include representatives from the FAA, the NPS, and User Groups to develop alternative solutions.

   The contested helicopter routes to the North Rim expired on November 30th and will not be renewed. Further, any routes over Grand Canyon National Park to Kaibab lodge must be approved by the Superintendent. The FAA affirmed that their interests are strictly limited to aviation safety.

   Southern portions of Bright Angel and Desert View Flight-Free Zones will be restored. According to Washington, these flight free areas were inadvertently deleted when the NPS recommendations were incorporated into the new FAA regulations in 1988. Appropriate amendments will be made to the regulations and new aeronautical charts will depict the change.

   The FAA will abide by the requirements of the National Parks Overflights Act of 1987 by consulting with the NPS before making any changes to routes or flight free zones. If agreement is reached to make a change, a notice will be published in the Federal Register to provide opportunity for public comment.

   This agreement shows great improvement of the working rela-tionship between the NPS and the FAA, which is vital to finding equitable solutions to overflights issues. Their cooperation is also important for the completion of two studies called for by Congress. The 1987 Overflights Act directed the NPS to conduct a study of the effectiveness of the new regulations and to submit a report within 3 years. Due to lack of funding, this report was delayed, but should be completed this year. In a recent letter to Grand Canyon River Guides, Senator John McCain (R-AZ), included a copy of an amendment he attached to an FAA reauthorization bill which was enacted prior to adjournment of the 102nd Congress. The amendment directs the Administrator of the FAA to con-duct an additional study and to submit a report to Congress. The report should examine increased air traffic since 1987, forecast projected increases through 2010, and present a plan of action to manage those increases. This plan should be designed to ensure aviation safety and to meet the requirements established by the Overflights Act, “... including any measures to encourage or require use of quiet aircraft technology by commercial air tour operators.”