Community Involvement — Las Vegas

Jan. 14, 2021 Update

The FAA made minor adjustments to five procedures that are part of the Las Vegas Metroplex project. The agency made these changes after it issued the final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact/Record of Decision (FONSI/ROD) for the project. The FAA conducted a thorough review of the changes and confirmed they do not warrant a supplement to the final Environmental Assessment consistent with FAA environmental policy. Details of the FAA review are available at http://www.metroplexenvironmental.com/las_metroplex/las_docs.html.

The FAA made these changes for several reasons, including to comply with amendments to our criteria that occurred after we issued the FONSI/ROD. While the procedures approved in the FONSI/ROD would have been safe, the FAA is constantly evaluating how to make our safe system even safer. Adjustments similar to these occur with virtually all large airspace projects, and the FAA normally makes them after the procedures are implemented, during what is called the post-implementation phase of the project. However, the COVID-19 public health emergency delayed implementation of the Las Vegas Metroplex project. As a result, we were able to make these changes before we implement the new routes on Feb. 25, 2021.

The changes are as follows:

HOOVER SEVEN departure route for McCarran International Airport (LAS)

Two segments of the proposed HOOVER SEVEN departure route failed FAA flight checks due to a lack of radio reception at two points along those segments. The segments, or transitions, lead from LAS to the higher-altitude portion of the HOOVER departure. Accordingly, the FAA revised one of the segments to closely resemble the segment of the HOOVER route that is flown today. The FAA revised the other segment to move it further south of the originally proposed segment. The originally proposed segment would have overflown Grand Canyon National Park, while the revised segment will not. The changes to both segments will take place between 14,000 and 28,000 feet Above Ground Level (AGL).

Precision approach to LAS Runway 19R from the east

The FAA changed the descent angle from 3.5 degrees to 3.24 degrees in response to safety and efficiency concerns that airlines expressed. During hot weather, altimeters can show aircraft are flying the intended descent angle, but they actually are at higher-than-indicated altitudes, which create steeper-than-intended descent angles. Steeper descent angles can make it difficult for aircraft to slow to a safe landing speed and require crews to abort their landing attempts and fly around for another attempt. The change will route aircraft at most approximately 550 feet north of the originally designed approach.

Precision approach to LAS Runway 19R from the north

The FAA changed the glide angle for this approach to match the glide angle for the approach from the east so both can use the Precision Approach Path Indicator lights for Runway 19R. The change will route aircraft at most approximately 500 feet northwest of the originally designed approach. The FAA expects aircraft will use this approach only for contingency purposes because it conflicts with Nellis Air Force Base airspace.

Precision approach to LAS Runway 19L

The FAA redesigned the procedure to create a slightly longer final approach. The longer, straight segment increases safety by giving pilots more distance before they reach the altitude at which they must determine whether they're safely lined up and configured to land. The change will shift the procedure at most approximately 212 feet northwest of the originally designed route.

GAMES Arrival Route for Henderson Executive Airport

The FAA raised the altitude of the route from 8,100 to 8,300 feet Mean Sea Level (MSL) at a specific waypoint. The FAA made this change because the agency raised the minimum vectoring altitude (MVA) along the GAMES arrival route after issuing the final Environmental Assessment and FONSI/ROD for the project. The MVA is the minimum altitude at which controllers can turn aircraft safely for terrain and obstacle clearance. The FAA continuously assesses its safety criteria and periodically adjusts it.

Past Public Workshops:

• Draft Environmental Assessment Public Workshops Locations 2019 (PDF)
• Public Workshop Display Board: Project Information and Environmental Process Dec-2019 (PDF)
• Public Workshop Display Board: Draft Environmental Assessment – Noise Effects Analysis Dec-2019 (PDF)
• Public Workshop Display Board: Draft Environmental Assessment Summary Dec-2019 (PDF)
• Las Vegas Metroplex Fact Sheet December 17, 2019 (PDF)
• Public Workshop Invitation April-2019 (PDF)
• Public Workshop Information Display Boards April-2019 (PDF)
• Preliminary Procedure Designs Public Workshops Locations 2017 (PDF)
• General Information April-2017 (PDF)
• Flight Paths April-2017 (PDF)

How Air Traffic Control Works in Las Vegas Metroplex

Projected Annual Benefits

Source: FAA – Las Vegas Metroplex Design Team

*The Design Team estimates use internal FAA metrics to quantify total pre- and post-implementation fuel use differences. The analysis is separate from and differs in metrics and methodology from the Environmental Assessment (EA) analysis of impact categories. The EA analysis is the FAA analysis in compliance with NEPA requirements.

Value of Fuel Savings

$4.7 Million

Fuel Savings

1.6 Million Gallons

Carbon Savings

13.6 Thousand Metric Tons

These preliminary annual benefits estimates are models based on the assumption that the Las Vegas Metroplex improvements will address the issues that the FAA identified in the Las Vegas airspace. Post-implementation estimates based on actual flight data will differ from the preliminary estimates. The value of the preliminary fuel savings estimates is based on a $2.85-per-gallon rate.

Additional Information

For additional information please visit http://www.metroplexenvironmental.com/las_metroplex/las_docs.html

or contact: