Sept. 16, 2025
A potential expansion of the Powder River Training Complex (PRTC) could have safety, operational and financial impacts on business aviation, NBAA said in feedback requested about the project.
The association recently shared feedback with the Department of the Air Force on the potential expansion of the PRTC, a group of Military Operations Areas (MOAs) and Air Traffic Control Assigned Airspaces (ATCAAs) that encompasses approximately 14,100 square-miles across parts of Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming.
The training complex is used for both day-to-day training operations and large force exercises and with the proposed expansion to the altitude and number of training days, it would be particularly impactful for business aircraft operators.
NBAA’s comments, in response to a recently issued Department of the Air Force notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement, focused on:
- Safety aspects, such as the use of ATCAAs, which are uncharted pieces of airspace; limited divert opportunities for civil operators; and a lack of centralized control and communication for air traffic operations with the airspace spread across three separate ARTCCs – Denver, Minneapolis and Salt Lake City.
- Operational impacts for business aviation, including extended routes for flights that must fly around the airspace instead of above it; limited opportunities to fly at higher altitudes, which is especially helpful in a region plagued with unreliable communication, radar and weather coverage at lower altitudes; and reduced access to airports underlying the complex.
- Economic impacts, including increased fuel costs, extended flight times for operators and passengers and lost revenue for airports and FBOs due to fewer transient operations.
“While we recognize the need for and support appropriate military training, there must be a balance to overall airspace management for both training and operational missions that support our nation’s economy,” said Jan Planten, director of NBAA Air Traffic Services. “The safety, operational and business needs of the civilian population must be considered while ensuring all decisions are fact-based.”
NBAA urged the FAA to review all annual utilization reports for the PRTC to ensure the airspace usage data supports the proposed changes and encouraged officials to release any unused airspace back to the FAA in a timely manner, especially during times of higher volume, holiday travel and severe weather events.
The association also requested that officials explore less traditional and more dynamic airspace solutions such as expanding VFR corridors, integrating IFR routes through the airspace and limiting activation of lower MOAs to allow better access to underlying civil airports.
The draft environmental impact statement, expected to be published in 2027, is one of the first stages of implementing airspace changes. The public will have another opportunity to comment on proposed changes at that time.
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.