AF Plant 42 AICUZ Study - Feb. 2012 - Edwards Air Force Base

tower at Plant 42. This airspace extends outward from the center of
the airfield 4.3 nm and upward from the surface to 5,000 above MSL
(approximately 2,500 feet above ground level [AGL]). The term
controlled airspace refers to airspace within which aircraft separation
(i.e., ATC) is provided by the FAA or Air Force controllers.
Separation of aircraft is achieved through a combination of a terminal
radar approach control (TRACON) facility at Edwards AFB operated
by the FAA and a control tower at Plant 42 also operated by the FAA.
Access to this airspace requires establishing two-way communication
prior to entry. The communication requirement allows ATC to
provide in-flight separation service to aircraft operating instrument
flight rules (IFR), permitting operations to occur during periods of
less favorable weather as well as runway separation service (clearance
to land or take off) to aircraft operating under Visual Flight Rules
(VFR) during periods of good weather. Other controlled airspace in
the area includes Class D areas of similar size and shape associated
with the control towers at General William Fox airport and Edwards
AFB. Outside those areas, the airspace generally overlying the region
that is either 700 or 1,200 feet AGL to 17,999 feet above MSL lies
within Class E airspace. No specific communication requirement
exists for traffic operating under VFR in Class E airspace; however,
during periods of less favorable weather, operations must be
conducted under IFR with specific clearance, communications,
equippage, and plot certification requirements prior to entry.
Apart from airspace designated for purposes of providing air traffic
control services, the FAA designates special use airspace to segregate
activities that may be hazardous (Restricted [R-] Areas) or have
unusual levels or types of flight maneuvers (Military Operations
Areas [MOA]). The nearest special use airspace to Plant 42 are the
Restricted Areas and MOAs associated with Edwards AFB.
The FAA classifies airspace
based on whether it provides
ATC. Separation services are
provided to aircraft operating
under Instrument Flight Rules.
Controlled Airspace (further
subdivided into Class A, B, C,
D or E) is airspace within
which ATC separation service
is provided; Class G is
uncontrolled airspace; no ATC
separation is provided. The
airspace around Plant 42 is a
mix of Class D, E, and G
airspace. Of these three types,
Class D is the most restrictive,
requiring all aircraft to
establish two-way
communications prior to entry.
In addition to controlling local
traffic in the immediate
vicinity of the airfield with Air
Traffic Control Towers at
Plant 42, General William Fox
airport, and Edwards AFB, air
traffic services are provided
while in the region and en
route. Within the
Palmdale/Edwards AFB
region, air traffic control
service is provided by the High
Desert Terminal Radar
Approach Control, located on
Edwards AFB. For aircraft
transiting the area at higher
altitudes, such as scheduled air
carrier traffic going between
Los Angeles and Atlanta, air
traffic control service is
provided by one of the
approximately 20 Air Route
Traffic Control Centers
(ARTCC). The area of
jurisdiction of an ARTCC is
quite large; for example,
aircraft operating at high
altitudes over the west coast
states of California, Oregon
and Washington would be
controlled by Los Angeles
Center, Oakland Center, or
Seattle Center. The ARTCC
for the southern half of
Calfiornia and parts of
Arizona, Nevada, and Utah
(LA Center) is in fact in
Palmdale near main entrance
to Plant 42.
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