Chapter 1. General

Section 3. Airspace Planning and Analysis

1-3-1. BACKGROUND

  1. Airspace management functions historically have been widely dispersed. Responsibility for airspace ­management has resided with the regional/service area offices, while airspace changes for operational ­considerations have been handled by field facilities. The focus on airspace change and redesign has been local ­in scope and centered, for the most part, on single areas. It is apparent that changes in airspace configuration, ­architecture, and/or structure have national implications for air traffic control, traffic flow management, and the ­user community. Therefore, changes in the use or allocation of the airspace need to be coordinated at the national ­level.
  2. The details involved in airspace design must be centrally located. It is essential that efforts expended on ­airspace studies and proposed airspace changes be coordinated at the national level. This coordination will ensure ­that resources are effectively prioritized and optimized for the efficient use of the nation's airspace.

1-3-2. POLICY

The air traffic planning and analysis policy uses an interdisciplinary approach to ensure the effective ­management of national airspace changes. This policy requires national implementation strategies; especially ­for changes designed to enhance user operations, maintain the highest standards of safety, generate new ­efficiencies, and effectively use our resources. Mission Support Services, Strategy Directorate, Airspace ­Modernization Group (AJV-S3) is designated as the air traffic office that will provide national oversight.

1-3-3. RESPONSIBILITIES

  1. The Mission Support Services Executive Director of Service Centers (AJV-01) and Headquarters, Air ­Traffic Services (AJT) must develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)s that must be followed to ensure ­compliance with Instrument Flight Procedure (IFP) policy and criteria contained in regulations, advisory ­circulars, and orders (e.g., the FAA Order 8260 series, JO 7110.65, and this order).
    1. Review the SOPs at least annually, assessing for practices and/or procedures no longer required or ­relevant content to ensure operational efficiency and flexibility to support customers.
    2. Update SOPs as needed when new or revised IFP criteria and/or policy is published to ensure changes ­are implemented as required.
  2. Mission Support Services, Strategy Directorate, Airspace Modernization Group (AJV-S3) must:
    1. Formulate airspace efficiency policy in collaboration with Mission Support Services, Policy Directorate, ­Rules and Regulations Group (AJV-P2) that overseas 14 CFR part 71 and part 73, and non-rulemaking Special ­Use Airspaces (SUA) rules and regulations policy.
    2. Establish guidelines for airspace architecture and structural changes.
    3. Provide a high-level analysis of current and proposed operations for efficiency from a NAS-wide ­perspective.
  3. Mission Support Services Service Center Operations Support Groups must:
    1. Follow the rulemaking and non-rulemaking processes in this order for processing 14 CFR part 71 and ­part 73, and non-rulemaking SUA actions.
    2. Develop and coordinate the IFP SOPs for developing and processing IFP actions in accordance with FAA ­Order 8260 series.
  4. Headquarters, Air Traffic Services must develop SOPs specifying air traffic facility responsibilities, ­timelines, and processes for post-implementation monitoring of IFP actions.