Will This Force GA Out Of The Skies Over GA?

A proposal currently under consideration by the FAA to increase training airspace for South Carolina's Shaw AFB may cut into the skies available to general aviation pilots over eastern Georgia.

The Associated Press reports the Air Force maintains civilian inconveniences would be minor if the training area were extended -- and that the increased area is needed to aid military pilots in training for missions using so-called "smart bombs."

Shaw AFB pilots have recently stepped up training missions -- called DEAD, for "destruction of enemy air defenses" -- to learn how to take out enemy forces from greater distances. Such missions weren't possible in the past, as technology lagged behind military planners' intentions -- but the aircraft and weapons are available now. The only thing missing, say Air Force officials, is the airspace needed for training.

"We're getting to weapons that we can drop much, much farther," said Lt. Col. Mike Tepley, one of the commanders of Shaw's 20th Fighter Wing. "But in order to do that you have to train to it, and to train to it you need to have more airspace. Now instead of flying right over, you can fly 30 or more miles from the target and practice taking it out through various means."

Officials with the Air Force and the FAA say a final decision is still months away. For its part, the Air Force is open to suggestions for allowing traffic into and out of airports that would be affected by the airspace grab, such as Augusta Regional Airport at Bush Field (AGS).

"We're not trying to grab all the airspace," Hedgpeth said. "We want to establish a happy medium where we're able to meet our needs while meeting the needs of other customers."

FMI: www.shaw.af.mil, www.airnav.com/airport/KAGS