Get extra lift from AOPA. Start your free membership trial today! Click here
Advocacy Advocacy Briefs Air Traffic Division Letter to Airmen No. 98-03

Air Traffic Division Letter to Airmen No. 98-03

Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration
Northwest Mountain Region
Air Traffic Region
1601 Lind Avenue SW
Renton, WA 98055

Air Traffic Division Letter to Airmen No. 98-03 Issue date: May 11, 1998
Effective date: May 11, 1998

Subject: Airspace Study #98-ANM-001-NR:
Summary Description of Airspace Actions Proposed by the Colorado Airspace Initiative.

The Colorado Air National Guard is proposing to restructure some of the military airspace and training routes in Colorado, and surrounding states, to enhance and optimize the Buckley ANGB F-16 operations. Their proposal includes modifications, additions and deletions to Military Training Routes and Military Operations Areas. Collectively these proposals represent the project referred to as the Colorado Airspace Initiative [CAI]. A summary description of the proposed airspace actions associated with CAI follows:

  1. Summary of CAI Proposed Changes to Military Training Routes [MTRs]
    1. Modify existing MTR - IR409:
      • The route floor for terrain following operations would be raised from "SFC" to 500 feet AGL for the final two segments and to 300-feet AGL along the remainder of the route.
      • The route width would be reduced from 16-NM wide to 10-NM wide along two segments (55.2-NM); from 22-NM wide to 8-NM wide along one segment (53.3-NM); and from 16-NM wide to 6-NM wide along one segment (33.5-NM). The route width along the remainder of the route would remain unchanged.
      • The centerline track and top-altitudes would be unchanged.
    2. Modify existing MTR - IR414:
      • The route floor for terrain following operations would be raised from "SFC" to 300-feet AGL.
      • The route width would be reduced from 28-NM wide to 6-NM wide along the final segment (43.2-NM). The entire route would then be 6-NM wide.
      • The route centerline track and top-altitudes would be unchanged.
    3. Modify existing MTR - IR415:
      • The route floor for terrain following operations would be raised from "SFC" to 300-feet AGL.
      • The centerline track, route width and top-altitudes would be unchanged.
      • IR415 connects with existing IR409 at Point G - 23-NM south of Pueblo. IR415 terminates at that point. Aircraft on IR415 may transition into the Airburst Complex via IR409 or must exit at that point.
    4. Modify existing MTR - IR416:
      • The route floor for terrain following operations would be raised from "SFC" to 300-feet AGL.
      • The route width would be reduced from 21-NM wide to 10-NM wide along one segment (33-NM) and remain at 10-NM wide � or less � for the remainder of the route.
      • The centerline track and top-altitudes would be unchanged.
    5. Establish MTR - IR424:
      • This route would originate in the eastern extremities of the Kit Carson (proposed Cheyenne) MOA and proceed southwest-bound in basically a straight line to join � and coincide with IR415 - about 35-NM due east of Pueblo Memorial Airport (Point D).
      • This route, between the point of beginning and Point D, virtually mirrors the dimensions and track of existing � opposite direction � IR414.
      • The route ceiling would be at 8000-feet MSL except at the entry Point.
      • The route floor for terrain following operations would be at 300-feet AGL until joining IR415.
      • This route would be 6-NM wide.
      • IR424 connects with existing IR409 at Point G - 23-NM south of Pueblo. IR424 terminates at that point. Aircraft on IR424 may transition into the Airburst Complex via IR409 or must exit at that point.
    6. Modify existing MtR - VR413:
      • The route floor for terrain following operations would be raised to 500-feet AGL (from SFC).
      • The route width would be reduced to 6-NM wide throughout � a reduction from 10-NM wide along the first three segments (73.4 NM); from 17-NM wide for one segment (40.2); and from 10-NM wide for the final two segments (34.1 NM).
      • The southwestern-most turning point (Point E) would be moved 12-NM in the direction of the route centerline to eliminate flight over the Great Sand Dunes National Monument and associated wilderness area. The entire remainder of the centerline track would be unchanged.
      • Instructions would be added to remain above 2,000-feet AGL to the maximum extent possible - crossing the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness Area between U.S. Highways 50 and 285.
      • VR413 connects with existing IR409 at Point G - 23-NM south of Pueblo. VR413 terminates at that point. Aircraft on VR413 may transition into the Airburst Complex via IR409 or must exit at that point.
    7. Establish MTR - VR1427:
      • The route would originate on the Colorado/Kansas border 20-NM southeast of the Kit Carson County Airport; proceed southbound along that border until due east of Lamar, Colorado; then turn southwest-bound to pass through the Two Buttes MOA (proposed) and the Pinon Canyon MOA (existing) to join IR409.
      • The route floor will be at 300-feet AGL throughout.
      • The route ceiling will be 1,500-feet AGL throughout.
      • This route will be 10-NM wide until joining IR409 at the northwest corner of Pinon Canyon MOA (Point F).
      • The route width and centerline coincides with those of IR409 between Point F and Point G.
      • VR1427 terminates at IR409/Point G - 23-NM south of Pueblo. Aircraft on VR1427 may transition into the Airburst Complex via IR409 or must exit at that point.
    8. Cancel existing MTR - VR412.
  2. Summary of CAI Proposed Changes to Military Operations Areas [MOAs]:
    1. Cheyenne MOA:
      • The proposal would modify the existing Kit Carson A and B MOAs and rename them the Cheyenne High and Low MOAs.
      • The Cheyenne High MOA would have the same eastern, northern and southern boundaries as Kit Carson B MOA. The western boundary would be moved approximately 10-NM to the east to provide better clearance from Denver International Airport arrival corridors.
      • The altitude limits of the High MOA would be the same as the existing B MOA.
      • The Cheyenne Low MOA would have the same eastern boundary as the Kit Carson A MOA. The other lateral dimensions would match those of the Cheyenne High MOA.
      • The floor of the Low MOA would be raised to 300-feet AGL and would exclude the airspace below 1,500-feet AGL within 3-NM of the airport at Cheyenne Wells, Colorado.
      • The Cheyenne MOAs would not be scheduled for use between 10:00pm until 7:00am local.
      • All flight operations will be at subsonic airspeeds.
    2. Pinon Canyon MOA:
      • The proposal would modify the eastern boundary of the existing Pinon Canyon MOA to coincide with the eastern edge of V169 and the western boundary of the proposed Two Buttes MOA.
      • The altitude limits of the Pinon Canyon MOA would remain unchanged.
      • The Pinon Canyon MOA would not be scheduled for use between 10:00pm and 7:00am local.
      • All flight operations would be at subsonic airspeeds.
    3. Two Buttes MOA:
      • This proposal would establish the Two Buttes High and Low MOAs.
      • The western boundary of the Two Buttes MOA would be coincidental with the eastern boundary of the Pinon Canyon MOA as modified (above).
      • The MOAs would be 32-NM wide (north-south) at its widest point, narrowing to about 15-NM wide at the eastern extremities.
      • The Two Butte MOAs would extend east about 55-NM.
      • The High and Low MOAs would have the same lateral boundaries.
      • Two Buttes Low MOA would extend from 300-feet AGL up to, but not including, 10,000-feet MSL.
      • Two Buttes High MOA would extend from 10,000-feet MSL up to, but not including, FL 180.
      • The utilization of Two Buttes High MOA is expected to be about 2 to 3 hours per day, 5 days per week, 52 weeks per year.
      • The utilization of Two Buttes Low MOA is predicted to be about 3 hours per day, 6 weekends per year.
      • The Two Buttes MOAs will not be scheduled for use between 10:00pm and 7:00am local.
      • All flight operations would be at subsonic airspeeds.
    4. Airburst MOA:
      • This proposal would modify the existing Fremont MOA and the last leg of IR409 and rename the combined airspace Airburst A, B, and C, MOAs
      • Airburst A MOA would have the same east, north and west boundaries as the existing Fremont MOA. The southern boundary would be moved north to avoid Canon City and Fremont County Airport.
      • The A MOA altitudes would remain the same as those of the Fremont MOA - from 1,500-feet AGL up to, but not including, FL 180.
      • Airburst B MOA would extend the southern border of the Fremont MOA to the east along the southern boundary of the Fort Carson Restricted Area [R-2601].
      • The B MOA would extend from 500-feet AGL up to, but not including, FL 180.
      • Airburst C MOA would have the same lateral boundaries as the last leg of existing IR409.
      • The C MOA would extend from 500-feet AGL up to, and including, 8,500-feet MSL.
      • The Air Burst MOAs would not be scheduled for use between 10:00pm and 7:00am local.
      • All flight operations would be at subsonic airspeeds.
    5. Cougar MOA: This proposal would cancel the Cougar MOA.
A diagram of the airspaces involved in the Colorado Airspace Initiative is attached.

Note: The Colorado Airspace Initiative does not propose to modify either the La Vita MOA or Restricted Area R-2601.

Comments invited: Interested parties are invited to participate in this non-rule making study by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. Comments that provide the factual basis supporting the views and suggestions presented will be particularly helpful in developing reasoned decisions on the proposal. Comments are specifically invited on the overall aeronautical, economic and energy related aspects of the proposal. Communications should identify Study number 98-ANM-001-NR and be should be submitted to:

Federal Aviation Administration
Northwest Mountain Region
Airspace Branch, ANM-520
1601 Lind Ave. SW
Renton, WA 98055

Comments relating to environmental issues or regarding the Air National Guard�s August 1997 Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Colorado Airspace Initiative should be submitted to:

Mr. Harry A. Knudsen, Jr., Chief
Environmental Planning Branch
ANGRC/CEVP
3500 Fetchet Avenue
Andrews AFB, MD 20762-5157

Comments must be received on or before June 25, 1998.

Informal airspace meetings: For the purpose of gathering additional aeronautical facts and information relevant to Study #98-ANM-001-NR , the FAA will hold six (6) Informal Airspace Meetings in accordance with the following schedule.

Tuesday � May 19, 1998
7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Saguache Community Center
525 - 7th Street
Saaguache, Colorado		 Wednesday � May 20, 1998
7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Wet Mountain Saddle Club
90 County Road 241
Westcliffe, Colorado		 Thursday � May 21, 1998
7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Penrose Middle School
100 Illinois
Penrose, Colorado
Wednesday � May 27, 1998
7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Centennial Airport Holiday Inn
7770 South Peoria Street
Englewood, Colorado		 Thursday � May 28, 1998
7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Sheraton Colorado Springs Hotel
2886 South Circle Drive
Colorado Springs,, Colorado		 Friday � May 29, 1998
7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Quality Inn
1325 East 3rd Street
La Junta, Coloradoo

Copies of this Letter-to-Airmen, in hard-copy format are available at FAA offices in Colorado; at the State of Colorado Division of Aeronautics office, 56 Inverness Drive East, Englewood, Colorado; and at Buckley ANGB, Denver, Colorado.

For further information contact Ted Melland, Airspace Management Specialist at (425) 227-2520.

original signed by

Glenn A. Adams, III
Acting Manager, Airr Traffic Division