I'm not sure if this is the proper location for this discussion, if not mods will you please put it in the proper location?

I'm sure this has been discussed before, however I couldn't find anything current with the search function. Also since airspace demographics, density, etc... constantly changes, this discussion will also change.

Simple question: What is America's top 5 busiest airspace (currently). Not just limited to commercial operations either. This includes military, training, parachuting, etc...

I'm sure it's not the top, though PHX class "B" has to be one of the top 5.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

I doubt PHX Bravo would even be top 10

 

This data is from August 2010. It doesn't specifically answer your question, but I think it does give you an indication. I would think it correct that southern California and the Big Apple have higher density of both IFR and VFR ops than anywhere else.

50 Busiest Radar Approach
Control Facilities
Tracon Ops (000s)
CY
2009 Facilities/State
Rank
1 Southern Calif. TRACON, CA
2 New York TRACON, NY
3 Potomac TRACON, DC
4 Northern Calif. TRACON, CA
5 Atlanta TRACON, GA
6 Chicago TRACON, IL
7 Dallas/Ft Worth, TRACON, TX..
8 Houston TRACON, TX
g Miami International, FL
10 Denver TRACON, CO
11 Honolulu Control Facility, HI
12 Phoenix TRACON, AZ
13 Philadelphia International, PA
14 Charlotte/Douglas Infl, NC
15 Boston TRACON, MA
16 Central Florida TRACON, FL
17 Las Vegas TRACON, NV.
18 Detroit TRACON, Ml
19 Minneapolis TRACON, MN
20 Seattle/Tacoma TRACON, WA...
21 Salt Lake City TRACON, UT.
22 Tampa International, FL
23 San Antonio Infl, TX
24 Jacksonville Infl, FL
25 St Louis TRACON, MO

 

That's great. Thanks Eastern

 

How about the busiest in terms of takeoffs and landings per day/month/year?

I have been to a handful of places that ALL claim to be the "busiest" airports in the world, usually places like UPT bases or spots that have a high volume of GA traffic.

I'm skeptical of all of them, having flown into places like Hartsfield, DFW, etc.

 

in my experience, Phoenix was absolutely not that crowded as far as the Bravo goes. Yes there are a lot of crowded areas (like Gila bend, Deer valley, etc) but overall it's not bad.

Miami is worse in my book, but that I've been to, socal, norcal and houston take my cake.

Of course I haven't been anywhere near chicago, atlanta or new york so my results may be skewed

 

Anchorage on a beautiful summer day has to be close to being on the list.

 

PHX is busy, but its all in the pattern at SDL. Still nothing like SoCal. Nothing like New York.

 

Still hung up on my thinking that PHX was busier then it actually is ha? I concede, you were right.

I just figured with Luke AFB, a couple of the busiest class "D" airport in the nation, and all the flight training around there would of made it a contender. Obviously i was wrong.

For those who actually provided me with useful information in this discussion. Thank you!

 

I'm not hung up on it buddy. Just saying you obviously have not see SoCal or New york yet. I had 2 RA's in south florida a few weeks ago. Thats busy airspace.