The Ad Hoc Airspace User's Group (this includes the soaring community) made many suggestions to the FAA after the initial proposal on how to make the new airspace work better for all constituents. The FAA made a few concessions to the Airspace User's Group by redrawing some of the boundaries. We are waiting for the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to be issued by the FAA to see where we stand and if the changes will be included in the final redraw. The NPRM is expected to be issued before the end of the year. There will be a comment period open after the NPRM is issued. More updates will be provided at that time via this web site and via http://groups.google.com/group/rec.aviation.soaring/topics.

The local Chicago soaring community needs your help. The FAA is well on their way to the expansion of the ORD Class B Airspace that will have a direct impact on soaring here in the Chicagoland area.

The most problematic expansion is along the western edge out to the 30NM ring with a floor of 4,000 feet msl (~3,000 feet AGL). The north edge of this expansion is only 4 miles away from Sky Soaring. The western edge is only 10 miles away from Windy City Soaring Association. With a 4,000 foot floor to this airspace, soaring will be all but impossible within this important north-south corridor.

Please take the time to fill out the FAA comment form and return it to the FAA at the address, or FAX number, shown on the form. Express your opposition to the expansion. Help the FAA understand the size of the affected soaring community. Help the CLGC and your club with your words. Feel free to use the sample comment form by simply adding your personal information and sending it into the FAA.

The comment deadline is Monday, March 30, 2009. Thank you in advance for your help.

John H DeRosa
President, ChicagoLand Glider Council
john@derosaweb.com

Click to Download FAA Comment Form (With instructions)
Click to Download FAA Comment Form (Sample that you can use)

Documentation on the ORD Class B Expansion

Soaring Society of America Letter to the FAA (March 29, 2009)
ChicagoLand Glider Council Letter to the FAA (March 25, 2009)
FAA Proposal Visual (Jan 3, 2009)
FAA Meeting Notice (Dec 12, 2008)
AOPA Letter to the FAA (Oct 9, 2008)
AOPA Letter to the FAA (Oct 1, 2008)
Original FAA Class B Expansion Proposal (Jan, 2008)

              Current ORD Class B Airspace (Blue Lines)                         Proposed ORD Class B Expansion Plan (Red Lines)
                                                                                                                                  As of Jan 3, 2009