Pending changes in flight operations in the Hudson River airspace — where a collision between an airplane and a helicopter took place last month — might have national applications, according to the FAA’s senior vice president for operations, air traffic organization.
Testifying to a Senate committee, Rick Day said the agency will analyze the effectiveness of the changes and see if other metropolitan and congested corridors would be helped with similar changes.
The basic changes proposed are:
1. Uniform floor for the Class B airspace at 1,300 feet, which would serve as the ceiling for the exclusionary airspace;
2. Between 1,300 and 2,000 feet, aircraft would operate in Class B airspace under VFR rules but ATC control; and
3. Below 1,300 feet, aircraft would use a single common radio frequency and mandatory routes flying up and down the river.
Day was one of four people who testified before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.
The FAA now has the proposed rule changes out for public comments and expects to expedite the changes once the comment period ends.