The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on April 22 will\nimplement the first phase of the South-Central Florida Metroplex, the agency\u2019s\nplan to move flights more safely and efficiently across the southern half of\nthe state. Metroplex procedures will allow flights that are more direct and\nhave more efficient climb and descent profiles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The agency will publish 54 new procedures on April 22.\nSeventeen of the procedures will require additional training of air traffic\ncontrollers and automation upgrades at air traffic control facilities before\nthey can be implemented. We expect this to occur by mid-August. While these\nprocedures are being published as a package, they are not intended for\nsimultaneous use. They will be available\nfor pilots and air traffic controllers depending on weather and operational\nrequirements. Air traffic controllers occasionally may direct aircraft off\npublished routes for safety, efficiency or to reroute them around weather\nsystems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The comprehensive project will improve the efficiency of\nairspace in the South-Central Florida Metroplex area by optimizing aircraft\narrival and departure procedures to and from airports. New routes include some\nchanges in aircraft flight paths and altitudes in certain areas, but will not\nresult in any ground disturbance or increase the number of aircraft operations\nat any of the airports. The agency designed the new procedures to follow\nexisting flight tracks when possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Community involvement was a critical part of the Metroplex\nenvironmental process. The FAA conducted extensive outreach to the public\nbefore issuing its final decision on the project. The agency held 29 public\nworkshops and two public comment periods totaling 120 days in 2019 and 2020.\nThe agency also evaluated and responded to 3,239 comments in the Final EA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n