This August 2023 meeting summary from the StART Aviation Noise Working Group covers efforts to reduce aircraft noise around Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, focusing on the Greener Skies program and its Optimized Profile Descents (OPD) approach, which allows planes to descend more quietly and efficiently using satellite-based navigation. Alaska Airlines presented on the successes and ongoing barriers to wider use of this approach, including expired FAA waivers, increased air traffic, and the cancellation of key sequencing tools. The meeting also reviewed the Port of Seattle's Late Night Noise Limitation Program, noting a decline in noise exceedances partly due to FedEx retiring its louder MD11 aircraft.Open full document
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Meeting summary from the StART Aviation Noise Working Group covering the Greener Skies/Optimized Profile Descents (OPD) program implementation at Sea-Tac Airport, including successes, challenges, and barriers to full implementation. Also includes updates on the Aviation Near-term Noise Action Agenda, covering the Late Night Noise Limitation Program, runway use data, and July noise comment trends.