Passage of FAA’s reauthorization can deliver important policy and funding for U.S. airports, passengers By The Herald Editorial Board The most consequential news last month for Paine Field may not have been its name change to Seattle Paine Field International Airport. Whether that move pays off as intended in increasing the visibility of the airport
By DAVID KOENIG and KEVIN FREKING The Associated Press WASHINGTON — The Federal Aviation Administration would get more money to hire air traffic controllers and the mandatory retirement age for airline pilots would be raised under a bill approved Thursday by the House. The measure seeks to improve air travel, which has been plagued by
Like many agencies of the Federal Government, the law giving life to the FAA needs to be reauthorized periodically. The last bill was in 2018 and the current version will be passed this year. A reauthorization bill is something of a misnomer. The first page reauthorizes the agency; the remaining hundreds and hundreds of pages
2023-06-12
The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2023 is a proposed Senate bill that would authorize funding for the Federal Aviation Administration from fiscal years 2024 through 2028. The legislation covers a wide range of aviation topics including airport planning, noise compatibility programs, safety improvements, airspace modernization, and aviation workforce development. Of particular relevance to airport noise policy, the bill includes provisions on flight profile optimization, performance-based navigation, and NextGen airspace modernization efforts that can affect flight paths and noise impacts on communities near airports like Sea-Tac.
2023-06-09
The 'Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act,' introduced in the 118th Congress, proposes to reauthorize and reform the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other civil aviation programs. The bill covers a wide range of topics including FAA organizational restructuring, general aviation safety and pilot protections, and aerospace workforce development. Of particular relevance to airport noise concerns, the legislation includes provisions for an aviation noise officer and required consultation with the National Parks Overflights Advisory Group.
2023-06-07
This Port of Seattle document outlines key federal aviation noise and air quality legislation relevant to the StART (Sea-Tac Airport Roundtable) Federal Working Group, including provisions from the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 and proposed 2019 legislation. It highlights priority items such as evaluating alternatives to the DNL 65 noise standard, studying health impacts of aircraft noise in major metro areas including Seattle, and creating environmental mitigation grant programs for airports. Additional considerations include secondary noise insulation, increased funding for federal noise programs, and greater flexibility for local communities to address aviation impacts.
2023-04-10
This April 2023 memo from the Port of Seattle outlines the agenda and goals for the first-ever StART DC Fly-in, a trip in which Port and local city officials traveled to Washington, DC to advocate for federal policies addressing aircraft noise and emissions near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The delegation met with members of Congress, including Senator Maria Cantwell and several House Representatives, to push for legislation such as the Sound Insulation Treatment Repair and Replacement Program Act and the Aviation Noise and Emissions Mitigation Act. Key priorities included expanding eligibility for home sound insulation funding, involving the EPA in noise mitigation efforts, and establishing a formal Aircraft Noise Advisory Committee with a clear timeline for policy action.
U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA) shared a Facebook post about an FAA announcement improving working conditions for flight attendants and safety for the traveling public, accompanied by a group photo of airline crew members in uniform at what appears to be Reagan National Airport (DCA). Larsen stated he will prioritize safe working conditions in upcoming FAA reauthorization legislation.
2022-07-19
The Burien Airport Committee held a meeting on July 19, 2022, via Zoom to discuss issues related to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, including a review of a draft FAA reauthorization letter, updates on the SEA Stakeholder Advisory Round Table (StART), and a Climate Action Plan update. The agenda also included approval of minutes from previous May and June 2022 meetings and federal legislative updates presented by Mayor Sofia Aragon. Members of the public could submit comments by email, text, or Zoom prior to and during the meeting.
2021-02-18
This FAA presentation from February 18, 2021 explains Section 175 of the 2018 FAA Reauthorization Act, which addresses community noise concerns related to aircraft departure procedures. The law requires the FAA to consider dispersal headings or varied flight paths for new or amended departure procedures that direct aircraft between the surface and 6,000 feet over noise-sensitive areas, but only when the airport operator — not the community directly — formally requests it. Any approved changes must not significantly increase noise over noise-sensitive areas or interfere with the safe and efficient operation of the national airspace system.
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