Army Airfield Tower Closes, Shuffles Sky Rules in Maryland
Published Date: 4/3/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
Phillips Army Airfield in Aberdeen, MD is changing its airspace rules because its control tower is closing. They’re removing some old airspace zones and creating a new one to keep flights safe, especially for pilots flying by instruments. These changes help the Army keep things running smoothly without extra costs or delays.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Class D and E4 Airspace Removed
Phillips Army Airfield (Aberdeen, MD) will have its Class D and Class E4 airspace removed because the air traffic control tower is closing. This changes the official airspace rules pilots use when flying to or from Phillips AAF.
New Surface Class E2 for IFR Operations
A new Class E2 airspace area that starts at the surface will be established over Phillips Army Airfield at the request of the U.S. Army to provide the required airspace for Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations. The goal is to keep IFR flights safe and properly managed for existing instrument approaches at Phillips AAF.
Amend E5 for NDB Decommissioning
Class E5 airspace will be amended to account for the decommissioning of the Aberdeen non-directional radio beacon (NDB) and the cancellation of the related instrument approach procedures. Pilots who used those NDB-based instrument approaches will see the associated procedures cancelled.
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