[JYO] The clock is ticking on enhanced Class B action

The clock is ticking on enhanced Class B action

December 19th deadline looms

Dec. 10  Enhanced Class B (ECB) airspace might disappear on December 19. In a 
meeting late last week with national security officials, AOPA President Phil 
Boyer received confirmation that the 19th is the Department of 
Transportation's deadline to either lift the ECB airspace restrictions, or 
issue a notice in the Federal Register re-imposing the restriction and 
explaining the reasons for the restriction. This action stems from Section 
146 of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act (which AOPA lobbied for), 
signed by President Bush on November 19th.  While AOPA continues to work 
closely with the FAA to remove ECB nationwide, we support this legislative 
solution and are pleased that Congress has established this process for 
seeking relief," said Boyer. 

The Aviation Security law allows operators affected by the ECB restrictions 
to request relief from the Secretary of Transportation. Relief will 
automatically be granted 30 days after the request unless the DOT publishes 
an official in the Federal Register before the 30th day that re-imposes the 
restriction and explains the reasons for the restriction. Operations that 
stand to benefit by submitting requests include VFR aircraft over a certain 
weight, banner towing, aerial news reporting, air traffic watch, blimp and 
airship operations, and Part 91 sightseeing operations. Although there 
continues to be questions about the scope of the legislative language, the 
review of ECB restrictions may also affect the temporary flight restrictions 
(TFR) in Boston, New York and Washington, DC.

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