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 regarding commercial air tour operations over Grand Canyon National Park (GCNP). The first rule, Commercial Air Tour Limitation in Grand Canyon National Park Special Flight Rules Area, limited the number of commercial air tour operations that may be flown in the GCNP Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA) on an annual basis. This rule became effective on May 4, 2000. The second rule, Modification of the Dimensions of the Grand Canyon National Park Special Flight Rules Area and Flight Free Zones, modified the airspace in the SFRA to accommodate a new route system for commercial air tour operations and to expand the amount of overall airspace protected by flight free zones. This rule initially was scheduled to become effective December 1, 2000. After several delays, the new routes and airspace were adopted for the west end of the GCNP SFRA on April 19, 2001. The routes and airspace on the east end of the GCNP SFRA have been delayed several times since the adoption of the final rule. In December 2001, the FAA delayed the east end routes and airspace until February 20, 2003. This rule stays 14 CFR 93.305 (a) and (b) of the Airspace Modification Final Rule for the east end of the GCNP until February 20, 2006.