Alaska Skies Reshuffled: Beacon Dies, Routes Change
Published Date: 3/4/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FAA wants to update some flight routes in Alaska because the Shemya radio beacon is shutting down. This means changing Green 8, Jet Route J-115, and RNAV Route T-227, plus creating a new RNAV Route Q-188. Pilots and airlines flying in Alaska will be affected, and the FAA is asking for public comments by April 18, 2025, with no extra costs expected.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
G-8 Airway Segment Revoked; RNAV Backup Used
The FAA proposes to revoke the segment of Colored Federal Airway G-8 that runs between the Shemya, AK, NDB and the Mount Moffet, AK, NDB. Pilots and airlines that used that segment would instead use the existing RNAV Route T-227 as the mitigation to preserve routing in Alaska.
J-115 Segment Revoked; New RNAV Q-188 Proposed
The FAA proposes to revoke the segment of Jet Route J-115 between the Shemya, AK, NDB and the Mount Moffet, AK, NDB and to establish RNAV Route Q-188 as a direct overlay to replace that portion. Pilots and airlines flying the J-115 segment in Alaska would use the proposed Q-188 RNAV route instead.
T-227 Amended to Add DEJJE Waypoint for ADK Transitions
The FAA proposes to amend RNAV Route T-227 by adding the DEJJE, AK, waypoint. This amendment is intended to allow enroute transition with instrument procedures at Adak Airport (ADK), helping pilots connect RNAV routing to ADK instrument approaches.
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