TagAir Traffic Control(102)

FAA instrument departure procedure chart for the HAROB SIX DEPARTURE (RNAV) at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. This chart provides navigation waypoints, altitudes, and takeoff minimums for aircraft departing SEA using RNAV navigation procedures.

FAA Order JO 7110.659C, effective February 29, 2016, updates air traffic control procedures for Wake Turbulence Recategorization (Recat), which changes how aircraft are grouped for safe separation purposes. Instead of the traditional three weight classes (heavy, large, and small), Recat introduces six categories based on wingspan, takeoff weight, and an aircraft's ability to withstand wake turbulence, allowing for more precise separation distances and improved airport efficiency. Facilities must obtain authorization, train personnel, and submit weekly wake encounter reports for the first eight weeks after implementing these new procedures.

This FAA notice (effective August 2015) updates the rules for how air traffic controllers manage aircraft making simultaneous approaches to parallel runways. It introduces new diagonal radar separation distances between aircraft based on how far apart the runway centerlines are, ranging from 1 mile of separation for runways 2,500–3,600 feet apart to 2 miles for runways 4,301–9,000 feet apart. While focused on controller procedures rather than noise policy directly, these standards govern how closely aircraft can be spaced during parallel runway approaches, which is relevant to arrival patterns affecting communities near airports like Sea-Tac.

FAA Safety Alert for Operators announcing the implementation of new wake turbulence separation categories (RECAT Phase I) at Memphis International Airport, effective November 1, 2012. The document details changes from the current 6-category system to a new system based on weight, approach speeds, and wing characteristics, with specific separation standards and aircraft assignments.

This October 2009 FAA Air Traffic Organization document explains the terms, techniques, and programs used to manage the flow of air traffic across the National Airspace System. It covers topics such as ground delay programs, ground stops, severe weather avoidance, rerouting strategies, and coordination tools used by traffic management specialists. While focused on national-level airspace operations rather than airport-specific noise policy, it provides useful background on how flight scheduling and routing decisions are made system-wide.