FAA Imposes New Flight Restrictions at Denver’s Centennial Airport
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has enforced extensive new limitations on flight operations at Centennial Airport (KAPA), located near Denver, Colorado. Recognized as one of the nation’s busiest general aviation airports, the FAA has prohibited touch-and-goes and significantly curtailed parallel departures and other pattern work. This was done without issuing a formal NOTAM or updating the airport’s ATIS.
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) promptly voiced concern over the sudden action, labeling it as unprecedented. As per AOPA, the FAA directed controllers to “immediately cease simultaneous parallel departure operations” following the identification of potential conflicts between departing IFR and VFR traffic on Centennial’s closely spaced parallel runways. These runways are separated by approximately 700 feet.
“Despite nearly a week passing, the FAA has not issued a NOTAM or updated the airport’s ATIS with this vital information at one of the nation’s busiest general aviation airports,” stated AOPA Northwest Mountain Regional Manager Brad Schuster. Centennial oversees more than 300,000 aircraft operations annually and houses numerous flight schools and GA businesses. AOPA has cautioned that these restrictions could redirect training traffic to neighboring Front Range airports, potentially exacerbating community tensions there.
Both the Arapahoe County Public Airport Authority and AOPA have sought an urgent meeting with FAA officials to discuss feasible solutions. The airport authority acknowledged that “flight schools, instructors, pilots, airport businesses, and other airport users are all being affected.”
Source: AVweb – FAA Imposes New Flight Restrictions at Centennial Airport