Originally published at: FAA Clears Trump Arch, With Pilot-Visibility Requirements
The structure requires an eternal flame and floodlighting to make the structure visible to pilots.
This is really stupid of the FAA. Allowing a 250 ft.tall structure along the toughest approach that airlines regularly fly is dumb.
1 Like
Ignoring the issues related to the appropriateness of this structure as well as the absurd justifications for it (drone base, sniper nest, ammo locker), the FAA’s approval based upon employing non-standard lighting is a safety fail. All pilots know that the darkest feature on a night approach is the runway. This is intentional, otherwise we would feature giant spotlights illuminating all thresholds. The last thing a pilot needs as they wind their way south down the river is the distraction of another brightly lit monument. On an evening with any mist, the illumination of water droplets reduces the ability to focus on the runway and your eye is inevitably drawn to the light. Everything about this proposed structure is layered in ill founded argument after ill founded argument. I know, let’s add FIRE, that will fix it. Sure, some rising heat to create unstable air…wonderful. The entire concept is inane.
1 Like
FAA General Statements | Federal Aviation Administration but not found under Monument nor Amusement Park.
I didn’t look for snarky categories. :-o)
Gee, who could have seen this approval coming?
We can only hope that for good of us all, it never gets off the ground.
This topic was automatically closed after 7 days. New replies are no longer allowed.