FAA Draws Invisible Highways in the Sky for Southwest Flyers
Published Date: 1/30/2025
Rule
Summary
The FAA is setting up two new RNAV routes, Q-162 and Q-166, to help planes fly more smoothly between southwest Arizona and western Texas. These routes offer better options during bad spring and summer weather and support the shift to satellite-based navigation. Pilots and airlines flying in this area will benefit from safer, more reliable paths with no extra costs or delays expected.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
New RNAV Routes for Southwest Weather
The FAA created two new RNAV routes, Q-162 and Q-166, to provide alternate flight paths between southwest Arizona and western Texas during severe spring and summer weather. Pilots and airlines operating in that area are expected to get safer and more reliable routing, and the FAA says no extra costs or delays are expected.
Expands Satellite-Based RNAV Availability
The new Q-162 and Q-166 routes expand RNAV routing to support the National Airspace System’s move from ground-based to satellite-based navigation. This increases availability of satellite-based navigation options for aircraft operating between southwest Arizona and western Texas.
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