The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced its plans to execute phase one of the South-Central Florida Metroplex for safe and efficient flight movements across the southern part of the state.
Under the Metroplex procedures, the agency will issue improved climb and descent profiles, as well as 54 new procedures on 22 April, enabling flights to be more direct.
This project is expected to optimise the arrival and departure of aircrafts to and from airports, providing enhanced airspace efficiency in the South-Central Florida Metroplex.
The new procedures have been developed to follow the current flight tracks when possible.
The agency noted that the change in routes will not result in the rise of aircraft operations or ground disturbance at the airports.
Supplementary training of air traffic controllers (ATC) and automation advancements at air traffic control facilities will be required before the implementation of around 17 procedures. They are expected to begin in August.
Although the procedures are being issued as a package, these are not meant to be used concurrently.
Depending on weather and functioning requirements, these procedures will be available for air traffic controllers and pilots.
Before delivering its final decision on the project, the agency conducted an extensive outreach for the involvement of the community.
In October last year, the FAA issued the Finding of No Significant Impact and Record of Decision (FONSI-ROD) for the South-Central Florida Metroplex project, which is the final one among the 11 Metroplex initiatives across the country.
The agency will execute the second and final phase of the project in August this year.
