14 CFR Part 161 sets out the federal rules governing how airports like Sea-Tac must notify the public and obtain FAA approval before imposing noise and access restrictions on aircraft operations. It covers different requirements depending on whether restrictions apply to older Stage 2 aircraft or newer Stage 3 aircraft, including mandatory analysis, public comment periods, and formal FAA review. Airports that fail to follow these procedures risk losing federal grant funds and passenger facility charges.

Notes

This document contains the Code of Federal Regulations Title 14, Part 161, implementing the Airport Noise and Capacity Act of 1990. It prescribes notice, review, and approval requirements for airport operators proposing or implementing Stage 2 and Stage 3 aircraft noise and access restrictions. The regulation covers agreements between airport and aircraft operators, reevaluation procedures, and enforcement mechanisms for non-compliance.

Sidebar On/Off

As the source for federal transportation grants, the Puget Sound Regional Council was charged with developing a system to meet the growing need for commercial aviation. When the search for a second airport failed, they authorized the Port of Seattle to build the Third Runway, with a mandate to develop a noise abatement and mitigation program. In their effort to stop the Third Runway, the ACC argued over every detail of the Port's efforts--including property buyouts and sound insulation. The dispute was meant to be settled by a three member Expert Arbitration Panel. This is their final report. It finds 2-1, that the Port's program was insufficient in several respects. Despite that, funding for the Third Runway was approved by the PSRC, and the 'Port Package' program, proceeded largely unchanged. Expert Arbitration Panel's final decision finding that the Port of Seattle had not shown sufficient reduction in real on-the-ground noise impacts to satisfy noise reduction conditions required for approval of a third runway at Sea-Tac International Airport. The majority decision concluded the Port's noise abatement programs were insufficient despite being impressive in scope.

continue...

V V

Notes

Message