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I fly in this airspace. (KAUS and KSAT and KDFW) KAUS might be the most classic example of Class C airspace in existence. They only have 3 App/Dep positions w

I fly in this airspace. (KAUS and KSAT and KDFW) KAUS might be the most classic example of Class C airspace in existence. They only have 3 App/Dep positions with a spare 4th, and the top of the charlie is 4500 feet. I can overfly that in a light sport. Austin airspace isn't nearly as busy as you make it out to be. And in the context of this incident, arguing that KAUS needs to be upgraded to a Class B is kind of non-sequitur. A class B wouldn't solve anything except to make the area airspace wildly more restrictive.

ninjagoo 4y ago
> I fly in this airspace. (KAUS and KSAT and KDFW) > KAUS might be the most classic example of Class C airspace in existence. They only have 3 App/Dep positions with a spare 4th, and the top of the charlie is 4500 feet. I can overfly that in a light sport. > Austin airspace isn't nearly as busy as you make it out to be. Fair enough, local knowledge FTW. I made a suggestion - "it might be time to upgrade to Class B" as a systematic solution for an airspace that appears to be getting busier. It certainly appears to meet the FAA criteria based purely on stats. > And in the context of this incident, arguing that KAUS needs to be upgraded to a Class B is kind of non-sequitur. A class B wouldn't solve anything except to make the area airspace wildly more restrictive. You must have missed the part where I mentioned that Class B designation comes with staffing changes for ATCs which would presumably positively impact such occurrences :-) Maybe the alternative is better training, better operations in mornings, better rules around ATC IFR ground ops. 140+ dead people is 140+ dead people. Let's see what the NTSB says. Also, with the plans to expand the airport with more gates, I'm guessing changes are coming to that airspace regardless [1][2]. Though the additional 17C-35C runway appears to be past 2037 [2] Pg 17, [3]. > > I fly in this airspace. (KAUS and KSAT and KDFW) If you're flying in and out of KDFW you should have no trouble with a future Class B KAUS :-) [1] https://www.austintexas.gov/department/aus-master-plan https://www.austintexas.gov/department/aus-master-plan [2] https://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/images/Airport/business/AUS_Master_Plan/c8_MasterPlan.pdf https://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/images/Airpo... [3] https://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/images/Airport/business/AUS_Master_Plan/04-M3343-GI-1-01-Airport%20Layout%20Plan%20-%20Future.pdf https://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/images/Airpo...
- blantonl 4y ago
  > If you're flying in and out of KDFW you should have no trouble with a future Class B KAUS :-) Given my experience navigating the already PITA Bravo shelves in DFW (don't bust through those without an explicit clearance) and/or getting a Bravo clearance which adds to significant pilot workload, I'll take just flying over the charlie at 5500 and taking it easy while on flight following :) Also remember that Bravo airspace traditionally extends to 10,000 feet or more, so the considerations there for VFR traffic are significant. Some bravo clearances are easy: "Cleared into the Bravo, direct to KXYZ, 4500 feet", others are "Expect vectors" and now you are flying around under direct control of a controller vectoring you around numerous aircraft for 45 minutes or more... yuck (or fun).
  - ninjagoo 4y ago
    > I'll take just flying over the charlie at 5500 and taking it easy while on flight following :) Amen, I'll second that! :-)

ninjagoo 4y ago

> I fly in this airspace. (KAUS and KSAT and KDFW) > KAUS might be the most classic example of Class C airspace in existence. They only have 3 App/Dep positions with a spare 4th, and the top of the charlie is 4500 feet. I can overfly that in a light sport. > Austin airspace isn't nearly as busy as you make it out to be. Fair enough, local knowledge FTW. I made a suggestion - "it might be time to upgrade to Class B" as a systematic solution for an airspace that appears to be getting busier. It certainly appears to meet the FAA criteria based purely on stats. > And in the context of this incident, arguing that KAUS needs to be upgraded to a Class B is kind of non-sequitur. A class B wouldn't solve anything except to make the area airspace wildly more restrictive. You must have missed the part where I mentioned that Class B designation comes with staffing changes for ATCs which would presumably positively impact such occurrences :-) Maybe the alternative is better training, better operations in mornings, better rules around ATC IFR ground ops. 140+ dead people is 140+ dead people. Let's see what the NTSB says. Also, with the plans to expand the airport with more gates, I'm guessing changes are coming to that airspace regardless [1][2]. Though the additional 17C-35C runway appears to be past 2037 [2] Pg 17, [3]. > > I fly in this airspace. (KAUS and KSAT and KDFW) If you're flying in and out of KDFW you should have no trouble with a future Class B KAUS :-) [1] https://www.austintexas.gov/department/aus-master-plan https://www.austintexas.gov/department/aus-master-plan [2] https://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/images/Airport/business/AUS_Master_Plan/c8_MasterPlan.pdf https://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/images/Airpo... [3] https://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/images/Airport/business/AUS_Master_Plan/04-M3343-GI-1-01-Airport%20Layout%20Plan%20-%20Future.pdf https://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/images/Airpo...

blantonl 4y ago
> If you're flying in and out of KDFW you should have no trouble with a future Class B KAUS :-) Given my experience navigating the already PITA Bravo shelves in DFW (don't bust through those without an explicit clearance) and/or getting a Bravo clearance which adds to significant pilot workload, I'll take just flying over the charlie at 5500 and taking it easy while on flight following :) Also remember that Bravo airspace traditionally extends to 10,000 feet or more, so the considerations there for VFR traffic are significant. Some bravo clearances are easy: "Cleared into the Bravo, direct to KXYZ, 4500 feet", others are "Expect vectors" and now you are flying around under direct control of a controller vectoring you around numerous aircraft for 45 minutes or more... yuck (or fun).
- ninjagoo 4y ago
  > I'll take just flying over the charlie at 5500 and taking it easy while on flight following :) Amen, I'll second that! :-)