FAA Expands Georgia Base's Restricted Skies for Training
Published Date: 9/8/2025
Rule
Summary
Fort Gordon, GA is updating its restricted airspace to better fit the Army’s training needs. The changes make the airspace boundaries clearer, allow more flexible flight times (including weekends), and ease weather rules for pilots. These updates help the Army train smarter without extra costs or delays for everyone involved.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Airspace boundaries realigned
The rule amends restricted areas R-3004A, R-3004B, and R-3004C at Fort Gordon, GA by aligning the lateral boundaries to encompass the majority of the Army training complex. This changes where the restricted airspace is located around Fort Gordon.
Vertical divisions limit activation
The rule amends vertical divisions of the restricted areas so only the airspace needed for a particular Army training activity is activated. That means portions of the restricted area can remain inactive unless they are required for the training.
Weekend training flights allowed
The rule removes restrictions on participating aircraft operations on weekends, so Army training flights in R-3004A/B/C at Fort Gordon, GA may occur on weekends. Weekend operations that were previously restricted are now permitted.
Flights above 12,000 feet allowed
The rule removes the restriction on flight above 12,000 feet above ground level (AGL) for participating aircraft in the amended restricted areas at Fort Gordon, GA. Participating aircraft may operate above 12,000 feet AGL where appropriate for training.
Weather minima eased to standard VFR
The rule removes the requirement that weather minima exceed standard Visual Flight Rules (VFR) criteria for participating aircraft in the Fort Gordon restricted areas. Pilots may operate under weather minima that no longer must be higher than standard VFR.
No added costs or delays claimed
The document states these updates help the Army train more effectively 'without extra costs or delays for everyone involved.' That is an explicit claim about the rule's expected operational impact.
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