"Steven P. McNicoll" wrote...

ATC cannot authorize or require deviation from the 250 KIAS speed limitation
below 10,000 MSL, except within airspace delegated to Houston approach
control, and then only for departing aircraft.

....and the Houston experiment is about to end:


ALPA OPERATIONS BULLETIN 2004-01

SUBJECT: Houston (IAH) High Speed Departure Test Program


BACKGROUND: In December 1997 the FAA began a field test at Houston
Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to determine whether the 250-knot speed
restriction for aircraft operating below 10,000 MSL within Class B airspace
could be increased or eliminated.

Shortly after this test began, ALPA identified to FAA and industry
representatives numerous safety concerns including Class B Airspace excursions,
increased mid-air collision risk, and increased potential for catastrophic bird
strikes. Our concerns were highlighted by the damage sustained by a Delta 727
on departure from IAH on January 9, 1998.

After lengthy discussions and some valid scientific analysis, FAA Flight
Standards, in July 2003, determined that it couldn't quantify the risk presented
by birds. Based on the data from the test, the FAA is unable to design a risk
analysis that will prove the safety of the operation. The well-documented
increase in the wildlife populations of large flocking birds was a determining
factor in this finding.

The FAA has decided to discontinue the test. Once internal FAA coordination is
complete, ATC will no longer be authorized to allow aircraft to exceed 250 KIAS
below 10,000 feet MSL. However, this internal coordination must not delay
pilots from immediately discontinuing participation.

RECOMMENDATION:

Therefore, effective immediately, pilots should not accept an ATC clearance for,
or request ATC authorization to, exceed 250 knots below 10,000 feet in Houston
Class B Airspace.

Contact the ALPA Engineering and Air Safety Department at 800-424-2470 with
questions and comments.

Captain John Cox
Executive Air Safety Chairman

January 16, 2004