Category : Explainers(49)

Almost everything about every airport is complicated. And Sea-Tac Airport is more challenging than most. These short-form articles try to make things as simple as possible. Use them to branch off into deeper dives.

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  • So you want to be a Port Commissioner?

    The purpose of this explainer is is sort of a handy one-pager for candidates for a seat on the Port Commission. In the past two elections I’ve met with numerous candidates to discuss what the Port Commission might be able to do to help airport communities address the negative impacts from Sea-Tac Airport. The answer.

  • Why is it getting so much worse? (NextGen For Dummies)

    Spoiler alert: The answer is not ‘The Third Runway’. However, you might call the current situation for residents in certain neighborhoods around Sea-Tac Airport a ‘Perfect Storm’. What’s The Frequency, Kenneth? Yes, there has been a great deal of growth in the number of daily operations. First, there is the fact that in 2012 Delta

  • What exactly is The Port Of Seattle?

    The Port is a very misunderstood institution. Understanding its structure and its mission are keys to any successful strategy to reduce noise and pollution at Sea-Tac.

  • Who decides what happens at Sea-Tac Airport?

    If you’re trying to get some relief from all the flights, you probably will have some questions like, “Who do I blame?” And it gets confusing because there are three entities that share responsibility for everything that goes on at Sea-Tac Airport: the FAA, The Port Of Seattle, and the airlines. The Operator: Property Manager

  • Why Can’t We Have A Curfew?

    Blame it on ANCA , the Airport Noise And Capacity Act Of 1990. Airport law–specifically the history of how communities lost their rights–is long. You can read a short history at our Airport Law Cheat Sheet. But one question people have is WHY CAN’T WE SLEEP AT NIGHT? So here is a summary of. The

  • The Port Package Explainer

    Does your home have a Port Package of noise mitigation windows and insulation? Having problems with your windows? Mold? You're not alone. Help us help you.

  • DNL65 For Dummies

    There is a geographic area around every large airport where, according to a formula developed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the ‘noise’ level is equal to or greater than 65 decibels DNL (Day Night Level). That area is depicted on a noise exposure map (NEM) and referred to as the Noise Boundary or just

  • Runways

    Intro Sea-Tac is a Category IIIb certified airfield, allowing operations in all but the worst conditions, 24/7/365. There are three runways in the modern configuration beginning in 1956: Position Year Built North End/South End Length (feet) 1 East 1961 16L 34R 11,901 2 Center 1970 16C 34C 9,426 3 West 2008 16R 34L 8,500 Runways

  • Fuel Dumping?

    Many people in the area claim to have witnessed fuel dumping. However, this is actually extremely rare. Fuel dumping would only occur if there were something seriously wrong with the flight. It’s main purpose is to drop weight in case of emergency. Think about this: if the plane was within spec on takeoff, why would