Local pilots say Marion County Airport only minimally affected by VOR closure

wireready_01-11-2018-12-14-03_09761_news_update

The level of impact regarding the shutdown of the Very High Frequency (VHF) omni directional radio range (VOR) serving pilots utilizing the airports in Baxter and Marion counties is debatable among flying enthusiasts. Following a November report from KTLO, Classic Hits 101.7 and The Boot News suggesting the Marion County Airport is facing an uncertain future with the VOR closure, some local pilots say business at the Flippin airport will likley not suffer.

The feedback from local pilots came after Marion County Regional Airport Manager David Davis said in an interview the flying public would be impacted by the closure.

Listen:


right-click to download mp3

Garrett Stice is a pilot and aircraft owner based out of Marion County. He says Davis’ comments may cause a lot of undue, negative publicity among the non-flying public.

Listen:


right-click to download mp3

Stice says the impact on the Marion County Airport will be minimal. The VOR closure only affects those pilots using instrument flight plans.

Listen:


right-click to download mp3

Les Ives, Owner of Ozark Airworks at the Baxter County Airport, agrees. He says most pilots have some sort of Global Positioning System which shoots off multiple satellites creating a redundant system with no need for VOR to be used as a back-up.

A Very High Frequency (VHF) omni directional radio range(VOR)is a type of short-range radio navigation system for aircraft helping determine a fixed position to stay on course by receiving radio signals transmitted by a fixed ground beacon. The Federal Aviation Administration says traditional VOR’s are inefficient and costly.

Area navigation (RNAV) is steadily replacing the older VOR’s. The newer technology is a method of navigation permitting an aircraft to operate on any desired flight path rather than only along tracks between individual ground navigation aids (VOR’S). RNAV allows an aircraft’s position to be continuously determined wherever it is.

In a follow-up interview with Davis, he says he was attempting to raise public awareness concerning the VOR closure for those who would be impacted and as encouragement for those affected to contact the FAA to voice their concerns.

He says these individuals should contact the FAA by visiting their website https://www.faa.gov/contact/ or calling 866-TELL-FAA (866-835-5322)

WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI