New Rules for Hudson Corridor Start Today
November 19th, 2009. Filed under: Cross Country, Local Flights, Photo Albums, Tools.
Following the August 8th plane and helicopter accident that claimed nine lives, the FAA developed new airspace rules for the Hudson Corridor, or as it’s officially known, the NYC Class B Hudson River exclusion zone, which become effective today.
First I want to say that these are decent rules that we can live with (pun intended). Fortunately cool heads prevailed and the most scenic airspace in the world is still open and accessible.
In a nutshell, the FAA did three things:
1) Took was was suggestions previously and made them requirements. Pilots must:
* Maintain a speed of 140 knots or less.
* Turn on anti-collision and aircraft position/navigation lights, if equipped.
* Self-announce their position on specific radio frequencies.
*Carry current charts for the airspace and be familiar with them.
2) Adjusted the floors of the surrounding class B airspace to a consistent 1300 MSL.
3) Added a Transient and a Local airspace layer.
*Planes passing through the corridor stay between 1000′-1299′ MSL
*Planes flying local route (sightseeing, etc) stay under 1000′ MSL
There’s always been a lack of official information on how to fly the corridor. That’s been taken care of too. The FAA now has a one-sheet of all the rules and a new Special Flight Rules online course for the Hudson.
Thankfully, no draconian rules. All quite reasonable. I feel optimistic that this wonderful jewel of aviation will be preserved for the foreseeable future and more people will be able to enjoy breathtaking scenes such as these:
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November 26th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Thank goodness the FAA didn’t close the Hudson River corridor with have the kind of knee jerk reaction that would pleased politicians pandering to the public. In the wake of 9/11, I was surprised that the S.F. Bay Tour route that allows us to fly over the Golden Gate Bridge and SFO wasn’t closed. As pilots, we all have to fly wisely and defend our flying privileges when they’re threatened.
January 10th, 2010 at 6:14 pm
Thanks…very helpful. Flew the tour before the rule were put in effect. This makes much more sense.
Fly safe!