Travis AFB Sustainability Study Report Final Background Report

The lack of required coordination creates a safety issue for both agricultural and military aircraft operations in the area. Operating an aircraft in crowded airspace and at low altitudes requires extra awareness by pilots. Crop dusting activities near Travis AFB ISSUE LAS‐4 Crop dusting activities in the vicinity of Travis AFB could cause safety concerns during flight operations. There have been minimal reported problems to date. Findings Compatibility Assessment Travis AFB is surrounded by agricultural land to the north, east, and south. Crop dusting aircraft operations, also referred to as agricultural aircraft operations, are conducted in the area around the Base. These activities are a concern because aircraft used for aerial applications can operate at low altitudes and with frequent passes in the area. Agricultural aircraft, over non‐congested areas, are permitted to operate below 500 feet above the surface and 500 feet from individuals, vehicles, and structures.  Agricultural aircraft have the potential to interfere with Travis AFB operations, especially at low altitudes.  Coordination and communication with the Travis AFB ATC is not required for agricultural aircraft operations within Class E airspace.  To date, there have been no significant incidents relative to crop dusting operations. Operations at Travis involve military aircraft that approach the Base from a variety of different altitudes, airspeeds, and directions. It is important for all crop duster pilots to be aware of Travis AFB operations, which can create a hazard for these military operations. Travis AFB is surrounded by about 250 square miles of Class D airspace, with the airspace beyond categorized as Class E airspace, as shown on Figure 5.13‐1. According to FAA regulation, Advisory Circular 137‐1A, pilots are not allowed to operate within Class D airspace without authorization from the Travis AFB air traffic control (ATC) facility. IFR flights within Class E airspace must communicate with air traffic control before takeoff. However, no ATC clearance or radio communication is required for VFR flights in Class E airspace. The FAA circular states that the operator is responsible for coordinating with airport management and air traffic control before conducting agricultural operations in and around airports, but there is no coordination required in Class E airspace. TSS Background Report Page 5‐63

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