Washington — Air carriers, aviation operators and flight crews should assess possible impacts of space launch and reentry operations on their planned flight paths and then “take appropriate precautionary measures,” the Federal Aviation Administration advises.
In a new safety alert, FAA notes that an expected increase in commercial and government space launches – and reentries – may present possible disruptions before or during airplane flights.
The agency offers recommendations to limit potential hazards. Among them:
- Review launch schedules as part of preflight planning.
- Attend the Air Traffic Control System Command Center Operations Planning webinar for the launch.
- Identify and anticipate potential delays and use that information for flight planning.
- Prepare adequate holding fuel to account for potential delays.
- Consider possible flight cancellations or reroute options, if necessary.
In the event of a “debris-generating mishap,” agency air traffic controllers will broadcast an alert to affected aircraft.
“Past events have shown that when a mishap does occur, debris has fallen within or near” the debris response area, and “pilots should exercise extreme caution near these areas,” FAA says.
