Read the public comments!
In particular, the comments by Marc Weniger are really on point.
https://www.regulations.gov/document/FAA-2024-2055-0001/comment
There are several issues with the proposed expansion of the San Bernardino class D airspace:
1. Air traffic approaching KREI will now have to approach lower, increasing noise and the possibility of increased noise complaints from the community. As we all know increased noise of less to airport closures down the road.
2. Radar coverage does not exist for KSBD. They have a difficult time managing the airspace they have now. Expanding class D with no radar coverage increases the danger for approaching aircraft over populated cities. In NO WAY should D be expanded without radar coverage. As proof – Feel free to contact me regarding the near miss I recently had with a heavy out of KSBD (which has been reported to and verified by the Riverside FISDO).
3. The utility of KREI will be greatly diminished. Ultralight traffic will no longer be able to operate out of KREI. (Also popular paraglider and hang glider soaring routes will be blocked.) In addition the new visibility and cloud clearance requirements as a result of the airspace changes will make it difficult for arriving and departing VFR traffic on days with a marine layer. The marine layer can burn off yet the visibility be below three miles for most of the day in the spring and summer months. This would keep the majority of the aircraft at KREI grounded for possibly weeks at a time.
4. North departing KREI traffic will need to delay climb out. In case of engine failure this puts pilots and people in the ground in more danger because the class D will make a return to KREI impossible in the event of engine failure.
5. The new airspace scheme will invite larger aircraft to make east to west approaches increasing noise, pollution for the Redlands and Highland communities.
6. Putting large aircraft over the top of the KREI traffic pattern will cause wake turbulence endangering the lives of pilots and passengers arriving at KREI. Few if any aircraft are following the UPS approach into KSBD – just look at the pat three years of flight tracks.
KREI has substantially more aircraft movements than does KSBD As a result the opera at KREI should be prioritized over KSBD. Expanding Class D is a will substantially reduce the ability for VFR traffic to operate out of KREI and increasing the danger. The FAA should not be favoring KSBD, a low movement airport in such a way that is substantially harms KREI a higher movement airport.
KSBD traffic should continue to approach from West to East. The San Bernardino area cannot handle more large air traffic and all the noise, pollution, and danger to local air traffic that goes along with it.
