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Seattle 4-Post Decision and Order

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Four Post Plan

This 1995 FAA Decision and Order addresses longstanding air traffic congestion and inefficiency problems at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac), stemming from outdated flight route procedures established in the 1970s. The document explains that existing arrival and departure routes caused safety concerns, reduced airport capacity, and increased controller workload, particularly when runway directions changed multiple times daily. It also notes that the so-called 'noise abatement' procedures from 1974 were not based on any coherent noise reduction plan, but were largely the result of moving flight paths away from communities that had complained.

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Notes

FAA Decision and Order regarding the Seattle 4-Post Plan, addressing airspace congestion and arrival/departure route inefficiencies at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac). Discusses a 1989 airspace study by Seattle ATCT and Seattle ARTCC titled ‘Seattle Arrival and Departure Routes; Simulation, Analysis, Recommendations,’ a Draft Environmental Assessment issued December 22, 1989 by the FAA Northwest Mountain Region, a public hearing held January 24, 1990, and a Finding of No Significant Impact dated March 31, 1990. Identifies problems with existing 1974 turbojet arrival/departure procedures including runway 16L/16R south flow routing through Elliott Bay, ARTCC holding 130-150 miles from airport, up to 20 lost arrival opportunities per event, and so-called noise abatement measures developed in the 1970s without coherent noise mitigation planning. Document received by Noise Abatement Office December 4, 1995.

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