Opposition is mounting to the FAA’s proposal to greatly expand the Class C airspace around Long Beach Airport in California. Pilot groups, both local and national, have weighed in on the consequences for GA, which include the impact on local flight schools, which will have to go further afield for practice. The latest round of opposition is a natural extension of the shift in airspace use. Earlier this week, the six municipalities that surround Long Beach and will inherit the increased training and other light aircraft traffic all passed resolutions opposing the change.
The FAA says the change is needed to allow controllers to sort out the increasing mix of airline, business and recreational traffic around the popular airport. The comment period on the proposal has now ended and the final decision is expected soon.
