Category : Explainers(53)

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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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

CategoriesExplainersTagsCurfew, DNL65, Noise Boundary, Noise Countour
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

CategoriesExplainersTagsFlow, Tango Taxiway, Taxiways
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

CategoriesExplainers

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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.

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DNL65 For Dummies

Runways

Fuel Dumping?

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