American Notes ARIZONA

Hikers who venture into the Grand Canyon complain that the park's majestic tranquillity is too often disturbed by the buzz of airplanes overhead. Last week the National Park Service announced restrictions on aircraft that it hopes will satisfy both environmentalists and backpackers as well as so-called flightseers. The plan, ordered by Congress, designates four flight-free zones, totaling 530,000 acres over which aircraft cannot fly at less than 7,000 ft. above the canyon rim. Between the restricted zones are several corridors where aircraft can ferry tourists. The plan also bans flights below the canyon rim.