
In this November 1999 letter, the Port of Seattle's Noise Abatement Program Manager responds to a Normandy Park resident's complaints about low-flying aircraft and late-night jet noise near Sea-Tac Airport. The letter explains that smaller propeller aircraft fly different, lower-altitude flight paths than jets for safety reasons, which brings them over residential neighborhoods like Normandy Park. It also notes that while Sea-Tac restricts older, louder aircraft between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., the Port lacks legal authority to restrict newer aircraft, though it works with airlines to minimize nighttime noise.Open full document
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A response letter from the Port of Seattle’s Noise Abatement Program Manager to a Normandy Park resident who called the noise information line about low aircraft over her neighborhood and jet noise after 10:00 p.m. The letter explains that smaller propeller aircraft follow different flight paths than jets for safety and capacity reasons, putting them over the Normandy Park area at lower altitudes. It also addresses nighttime noise restrictions, noting that while older louder aircraft are restricted between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., the Port cannot legally restrict newer aircraft.