The Great North American Eclipse on April 8 promises a fantastic celestial show and the potential for air traffic disruption.
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Carly Simon’s 1972 hit song “You’re So Vain” described someone flying their Learjet up to Nova Scotia to see the total eclipse of the sun. That scenario will be repeated on April 8 as the U.S. will be treated to the first total eclipse in seven years.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the “Great North American Eclipse” will transit a narrow path of totality from southwest to northeast across 13 U.S. states, as well as swathes of Canada and Mexico. This event is predicted to be spectacular, with those along the direct path experiencing several minutes of totality.
The eclipse path will impact the U.S. from approximately 1830 to 1940 UTC, and the DoT warns that aircraft operators should be prepared for potential airborne holding, reroutes, and/or Expect Departure Clearance Times (EDCTs) that may be issued for all domestic IFR arrivals and departures.
The agency also noted that there may be higher traffic volumes than normal at airports along the path of the eclipse, and to assist FBOs with staging aircraft and to ease ramp congestion, aircraft departing airports along the eclipse path are strongly encouraged to coordinate their departure times as early as possible.
One such airport—Watertown International in New York at the Canadian border—will be holding a viewing party for the celestial event with bands and food trucks. A $20 special event fee (in addition to the normal ramp fees for turbine aircraft) will be charged per aircraft to cover extra staffing and security, comfort stations, entertainment, and eclipse viewing glasses. Pilots are encouraged to bring “yard games.”
Eclipse Promises Great Show, Potential ATC Disruptions
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Carly Simon’s 1972 hit song “You’re So Vain” described someone flying their Learjet up to Nova Scotia to see the total eclipse of the sun. That scenario will be repeated on April 8 as the U.S. will be treated to the first total eclipse in seven years.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the “Great North American Eclipse” will transit a narrow path of totality from southwest to northeast across 13 U.S. states, as well as swathes of Canada and Mexico. This event is predicted to be spectacular, with those along the direct path experiencing several minutes of totality.
The eclipse path will impact the U.S. from approximately 1830 to 1940 UTC, and the DoT warns that aircraft operators should be prepared for potential airborne holding, reroutes, and/or Expect Departure Clearance Times (EDCTs) that may be issued for all domestic IFR arrivals and departures.
The agency also noted that there may be higher traffic volumes than normal at airports along the path of the eclipse, and to assist FBOs with staging aircraft and to ease ramp congestion, aircraft departing airports along the eclipse path are strongly encouraged to coordinate their departure times as early as possible.
One such airport—Watertown International in New York at the Canadian border—will be holding a viewing party for the celestial event with bands and food trucks.