Jackson Hole Airport (KJAC), Jackson, Wyoming

 Planes change airport approach to avoid Tetons

Four out of five planes landing at Jackson Hole Airport are using a new route that shifts their descent away from the Tetons, Jackson Lake and the Snake River.

The new voluntary flight path, approved by the Federal Aviation Administration in March 2013, was expected to be used by only a small portion of the planes landing in Jackson Hole, airport director Ray Bishop said. But the rate of use has been 80 percent, he said.

“As a pilot, I’m very surprised,” Bishop said. “Pretty much everybody is using it.

“It’s more convenient, particularly for people who are coming in from the east,” he said.

The new route cuts noise and, close to the airport, also the distraction of low-flying aircraft.

Jackson Hole Airport’s conventional landing route took aircraft from the Buffalo Valley on a westward trajectory to the eastern shores of Jackson Lake. Planes then turned nearly 90 degrees over the lake and headed south toward the runway.

The new path is identical to the old route up to the Buffalo Valley, but instead of heading straight toward Jackson Lake pilots can now opt for a curved, west-to-southwest-to-south descent.

The route realigns with the old flight path just north of Moose.

Because of prevailing winds in the valley, planes at Jackson Hole Airport nearly always land north-to-south.

Grand Teton National Park officials appeciate that air traffic has been shifted to the east, away from the park’s main attractions.

“We’re really pleased that it’s been implemented,” said Gary Pollock, Grand Teton’s management assistant, “and we’re especially pleased that it’s been used much more, I think, than it was expected to be used.”

Both smaller private planes and commercial jets are using the new “NextGen” flight path, Bishop said.

By shaving 14 miles and three or four minutes off air time the new path saves money, he said.

“A big airplane costs $15,000 to $20,000 an hour to fly, so if you can save a few minutes that’s real money,” Bishop said.

Source:    http://www.jhnewsandguide.com