Air Force wants airspace expansion but officials concerned

The U.S. Air Force is wanting to expand its military operating area in eastern Georgia.

But there's concern on how that expansion will affect civil aviation.

Georgia's U.S. senators, Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson, say in a letter to Air Force and FAA officials that they're particularly concerned that the expansion would cause air traffic delays and communications problems at the airport in Swainsboro. They're also worried about how the new airspace needs will affect the airport in Millen.

The Air Force uses the operating area's airspace for training. It's current airspace level is set at 11,000 feet, but the proposed expansion would lower that to 500 feet.

Proposed expansion has run into opposition in past years due to concerns over interference with civilian airspace.

Members of the public can comment on the proposal at a meeting in Augusta tonight.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the Augusta Regional Airport.

Plane crash victim identified

A teen-age employee of a Georgia aviation company was identified today as the pilot who died when his plane crashed into the side of a synagogue in Augusta.

Ron Baker, 19, was flying a single-engine Piper Arrow when it crashed last night at Congregation Children of Israel's Walton Way Temple, according to the Associated Press.

Baker worked for Phoenix Air of Cartersville.

No one on the ground was injured.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash.