EAA Supports Addition of Stepdown Fix to Chicago Airspace

December 5, 2019 - EAA supported AOPA's comments to the FAA this week requesting the addition of a stepdown fix to the Chicago airspace near Midway Airport to avoid persistent traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS) resolution advisories (RAs) in the area.

The support came in the form of comments filed to the FAA that reinforced the notion that the stepdown solution, which takes airline traffic over the Chicago Lake Shore VFR route entirely, would render any discussion of expanding Midway's Class C airspace moot by eliminating the need for TCAS RAs to be issued.

EAA also affirmed the importance of the Lake Shore VFR route to AirVenture attendees in the comments.

"Pilots flying into EAA AirVenture Oshkosh each year heavily utilize the Chicago Lake Shore VFR route," the comments stated. "The majority of aircraft coming into Oshkosh are single engine and the pilots typically are not comfortable transiting over Lake Michigan. This means that traffic arriving in Oshkosh from the south and east must transition around Chicago's airspace one way or another, and the Lake Shore VFR route is a popular and safe option. It is imperative that both airline and general aviation traffic be accommodated in this airspace."

EAA will continue to monitor this issue and advocate for the preservation of the Chicago Lake Shore VFR route.