Soar Oshkosh 2006

TTaylor at cc.usu.edu wrote:
Paul,

Can you explain the changes at Phoenix that will affect soaring for the
rest of us? My understanding from flying at SLC and MSP is that we can
still fly in the Mode C veil but clear of Class B. I have not looked
at recent changes to see if I can fly over the top of the B, but at SLC
we don't go that direction anyway.

Tim


My point is that without a National perspective, Changes anywhere in the
National system may have effect on the rest of the country. I think
that it is important to have some coordination and a focal point such as
Cindy.

Specifically, the proposed Phoenix redesign would have prevented
operation within the Mode C veil from the ceiling of Class B or Class C
airspace up to 10,000ft MSL. This would have effectively put a cap on
operations both at Estrella and Turf of 9,000. The LOA that is
being worked out will allow unlimited VFR Glider operations (without
Transponders) within the Veil. Refer to FAR 91.215(b)(3)(ii)

A review of FAR91.215 does exempt gliders from transponder requirements
within the 30nm Mode C veil, but they have to operate clear of Class B
airspace AND BELOW the top of Class B airspace to 10,000ft MSL which ever is
LOWER.

So if the Class B stops at 9,000MSL, then without a transponder, ANY
AIRCRAFT, not just gliders, that are approved for operations within the Mode
C veil without a transponder are capped at 9,000MSL and cannot continue
climb to 10,000MSL which will get them out of the Mode C veil limitation and
into the standard "above 10,000MSL" transponder or no transponder
requirements.

We face that same issue with the Las Vegas Class B, the glider club has a
waiver with the FAA and local Tracon for specific climb windows to climb
above 9,000MSL. It is only usable by members of the glider club who receive
specific training in it's operation of the climb waiver. It is the same as
going to Minden and operating in the Wave Windows, you need the
training/approval of the signature to the waiver to be able to use the
waiver.

BT

"TTaylor at cc.usu.edu" wrote in message
oups.com...
Paul,

Can you explain the changes at Phoenix that will affect soaring for the
rest of us? My understanding from flying at SLC and MSP is that we can
still fly in the Mode C veil but clear of Class B. I have not looked
at recent changes to see if I can fly over the top of the B, but at SLC
we don't go that direction anyway.

Tim

I don't fly there, but if I understand this correctly (and
if I don't, I'd appreciate it if someone would tell me), the
problem goes something like this:

91.215 allows transponderless glider flight inside a Mode C
veil only at altitudes below the top of the Class B. If the
top of the Class B is 10,000', then when the Feds "give
back" Class B airspace by lowering the top to 9,000', the
effect is to take away the airspace that transponderless
aircraft use, while "giving back" airspace above the Class B
(from 9,000 to 10K') to aircraft that have transponders.


--
T o d d P a t t i s t - "WH" Ventus C
(Remove DONTSPAMME from address to email reply.)

YES !! you are correct.
BT