The Federal Aviation Administration has established a rule to ensure Vancouver’s Pearson Field can continue operating without restrictions from Portland International Airport, a move the region’s legislators applauded on Tuesday.
“Vancouver and its surrounding communities depend on safe, reliable airports — both big and small — to connect our cities,” U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., said in a statement.
In September 2012, the FAA considered a rule change restricting flights in and out of Pearson.
Dubbed the “Pearson box” rule, it would have created a region of airspace where Pearson pilots would need to yield to larger airplanes approaching PDX from the west.
The FAA said the rule would increase safety. But local pilots and the city of Vancouver said it would cause delays and create unnecessary burdens. The FAA eventually backed down. Earlier this month, it issued its final rule ending the “Pearson box” proposal.
The new rule establishes special flight rules in the vicinity of Pearson Field to prevent conflicts between Pearson air traffic and PDX, according to a statement.
U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Camas, applauded the rule, saying the decision would allow “Pearson Airport to remain an important hub for the region’s aviation community.” U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., was also involved in urging the agency to resolve the matter.
“Pearson Field brings almost 40,000 visitors to the region every year and supports the jobs of around 460 Vancouver residents,” Cantwell said. “This decision is good news for the region, and will help ensure more efficient and predictable flight operations for visitors and the Field’s businesses.”
The rule re-designates the airspace around Pearson from Class D to a Class E airspace, eliminating requirements that pilots use radio communication or receive clearance from air traffic controllers when flying using visual flight rules.
Pearson Field is owned and operated by the city of Vancouver.
