FAA establishes low altitude routes over Nebraska and South Dakota
February 3, 2011, 04:53 pm
The Federal Aviation Administration has mandated five new area navigation routes in low-altitude airspace above Nebraska and South Dakota, effective May 5, the group announced.
The new RNAV air traffic service routes, also known as T-routes, are used by aircraft with the approved GPS or Global Navigation Satellite System equipment. Currently, pilots flying through those areas are required to fly under visual flight rules or fly at high altitudes, which the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Associations says can be "disadvantageous" for their flight, but would be necessary to ensure proper radar coverage.
According to the AOPA, flying in T-routes should reduce flight costs and also enhance the function of a plane's installed navigational equipment.
The specific T-routes listed in the final rule have been designated as T-281, T-283, T-285, T-286 and T-288. They have received support from pilot interest groups such as the AOPA, which said they released comments in support of the creation of the Nebraska and South Dakota T-routes and encourage the FAA to make this designation in more areas across the country.
Although these new flight routes may improve the function of navigational and other safety equipment, it cannot protect pilots from all the potential hazards they may encounter while flying. Life insurance for pilots can help their families prepare for any potential incident that could end in the pilot's death.
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