Updated March 26, 2020
The FAA implemented on March 26 new or revised instrument procedures as part of the Denver Metroplex initiative. The changes are wide-sweeping for the Denver area and include:
- Eight new bi-directional STARs for Denver International Airport (DEN)
- Nine new RNAV SIDs for DEN
- Seven conventional STARs retained with one, SAYGE, cancelled
- Fifteen existing RNAV STARs cancelled
- Twelve existing SIDs replaced
- Three amended SIAPs implemented
- Two existing SIAPs cancelled
- Additional satellite SID/STAR changes
A number of Denver area airports are impacted, including:
- DEN
- Centennial Airport (APA)
- Colorado Air and Space Port (CFO) (formerly known as Front Range Airport)
- Greeley-Weld County Airport (GXY)
- Northern Colorado Regional Airport (FNL)
- Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (BJC)
- Vance Brand Airport (LMO)
“These changes were made in collaboration with industry partners,” said Heidi Williams, NBAA’s director of air traffic services and infrastructure. “However, we recognize not all Metroplex changes are ideal. Both the industry and the FAA are dedicated to continuous improvement in efficiency and safety so as the changes are implemented, we could see small tweaks as necessary.”
For example, APA ILS RWY 35R will temporarily lose existing connectivity to the new RNAV STARs on March 26. If the ILS is required during this temporary scenario, the procedure can be requested from ATC, which will provide radar vectors to join the ILS RWY 35R as needed.
“The FAA recognizes pilots need seamless connectivity,” Williams said. “A permanent repair for APA ILS RWY 35R is in progress and will be published in the next charting cycle [April 23, 2020].”
The FAA will have daily planning and lessons learned meetings during the implementation period to ensure a smooth transition.
Operators and pilots flying in the Denver Metroplex should review available resources for more information, become familiar with changes or new procedures impacting their operations and update training materials as appropriate.
Denver Metroplex Implementation Plan: Industry Update Briefing, March 28, 2020
DEN City-Pair STAR Routing/Metroplex Procedure Mapping (Excel)
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.