Modification of the Dimensions of the Grand Canyon National Park Special Flight Rules Area and Flight Free Zones

On April 4, 2000, the FAA published two final rules for Grand Canyon National Park (GCNP). One rule limited the number of commercial air tour operations in the GCNP Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA); the other modified the airspace of the SFRA. The Commercial Air Tour Limitations final rule was effective on May 4, 2000. The airspace modifications were scheduled to become effective December 1, 2000. On November 20, 2000, the FAA published a final rule delaying the effective date of the Airspace Modification Final Rule until December 28, 2000, so that the FAA could investigate further new safety issues raised by the air tour operators. The FAA has completed its investigation and based on that investigation is delaying the Airspace Modification final rule pending resolution of some safety issues on the east end of the GCNP SFRA. In a companion document in this Federal Register the FAA also delays the implementation of the routes in GCNP.