TagAirport(185)

This 1995 Federal Aviation Administration report provides detailed technical data supporting the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Capacity Enhancement Plan Update. Prepared by the FAA Technical Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey, it uses airport capacity and delay simulation analysis to evaluate options for improving airport operations. The information was subject to change as the Design Team's analysis progressed.

These documents relate to the Airport Alternative Committee's October 1992 meeting, which brought together cities, community organizations, and citizen groups concerned about aircraft noise around Seattle-Tacoma (Sea-Tac) Airport. The committee evaluated criteria and requirements for addressing airport expansion, including minimizing noise impact on the largest number of people, maximizing aircraft and ground safety, and providing 750 operations capacity by the year 2020. Alternative airport sites such as Vancouver, Black Lake, Fort Lewis, Portland, McCord, Arlington, and SeaTac were also discussed.

A September 1992 internal memo from Doug Graves and Len Oebser to Rick Aramburu summarizes a site visit to the Toledo-Winlock area of Washington State as a potential location for a new replacement airport. The site was praised for its large size, proximity to the I-5 freeway midway between Seattle and Portland, access to Burlington Northern rail lines, and its sparsely populated surroundings, which would minimize noise and environmental impacts. However, drawbacks noted included its distance from major population centers such as Seattle, Tacoma, Everett, and Portland, which would require some form of mass rapid transit to serve the airport effectively.

This 1988 Federal Aviation Administration report outlines the Airport Capacity Enhancement Plan, which aimed to increase airport capacity and efficiency across the U.S. air system without compromising passenger safety or environmental impact. It identifies causes of capacity and delay problems, forecasts the effects of growing air traffic over the following decade, and describes FAA projects targeting four key areas: airport development, airspace control procedures, equipment and systems upgrades, and capacity planning studies. Note that while this document addresses national airport capacity issues broadly, it does not specifically focus on Sea-Tac Airport noise policy.

This 1986 Federal Aviation Administration report outlines the Airport Capacity Enhancement Plan, which identifies 53 planned and ongoing FAA projects aimed at reducing aircraft operating delays and improving airport capacity across the U.S. national airport system. The plan examines the causes and projected growth of capacity and delay problems over the following decade while ensuring no compromises to safety or the environment. Note that this document addresses national airport capacity issues broadly and does not specifically focus on noise policy at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

This FAA Advisory Circular (AC 150/5060-5), issued September 23, 1983, provides procedures for computing airport capacity and aircraft delay for use in airport planning and design. It defines capacity as the maximum number of operations that can occur in an hour, and delay as the time difference between a constrained and unconstrained aircraft operation. The document updates and replaces earlier FAA capacity criteria circulars to reflect changes in the national aircraft fleet and improvements in air traffic control practices.

Memorandum from Boeing Field Airport Manager Donald W. Smith to Port of Seattle’s Jody Yamanaka approving the proposed forecasting methodology for aviation demands at BFI. The memo confirms that the forecasts and approach are consistent with discussions and historical statistics, and finds the methods acceptable given limited resources.

Federal Aviation Administration final rule implementing DOT/FAA policy to guide the future operation and development of Washington National and Dulles International Airports. The rules address aircraft operations, scheduling, passenger limits, noise restrictions, and the perimeter for nonstop service at National Airport.

A January 1981 letter from the Puget Sound Council of Governments invites citizens and agencies to review a draft Regional Airport System Plan covering 1980 to 2000, which outlines existing aviation facilities, projected needs, and recommendations for expanding several airports in the region. The plan also calls for construction of a new industrial/commuter airport in the King-Snohomish service area, though no specific site is identified. Public comments were due before February 27, 1981, with the King Subregional Council expected to vote on adoption in March 1981.