By Bill Gunn
Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is getting a new runway. Despite the effects of 9/11, airport growth is badly needed to keep up with demand. As part of the process of adding this new runway, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is proposing a revision of the Houston Class B Airspace. The proposal from the FAA is to lower the floor of the Class B Airspace by 1,000 feet to the west and east of IAH. Additionally, a small addition to the surface area keyway in the northeast corner is proposed.
General aviation airports that are directly under the proposed lower Class B floor are May (T5 l) and Weiser (EYQ). Hooks (DWH) and West Houston (IWS) are right on the edge of the proposed lower area. Other airports nearby, as well as the high volume of transient visitors and through-traffic will be affected. The FAA and Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), Aviation Division, are forming an ad-hoc committee to solicit user comments. The committee process assures that all factions of aviation-air carrier, charter, business, and general aviation will have an opportunity to comment and propose alternatives to the FAA proposal.
The new runway at IAH is scheduled to open in the spring of 2003. Furthermore, the committee will recommend summer 2002 changes to the Class B Airspace (if any) as part of the process of accommodating anticipated added traffic at IAH. The impact on other factions of aviation in the Houston area will depend on the final configuration of the Class B Airspace. In busy areas, one change at one airport can affect the whole region. The individuals who volunteer their time and expertise to devise a plan that will work for all parties understand that aviation today requires more than experience in the cockpit – experience with the community and other aviation users is just as important.
