TagFAA Reauthorization(49)

This April 2020 FAA Report to Congress evaluates alternative noise metrics to the current Day-Night Level (DNL) 65 decibel standard used to measure community aircraft noise exposure, as required by the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018. The report reviews the history and definitions of various noise measurement tools, explains why no single metric can address all aviation noise situations, and examines the roles of both noise modeling and actual noise sampling. It was produced in response to congressional direction to assess whether better methods exist for capturing and addressing community concerns about airplane noise.

In March 2020, Port of Seattle officials and representatives from surrounding cities including Burien, Tukwila, SeaTac, Federal Way, and Des Moines traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with the FAA and members of Congress about aircraft noise and emissions issues affecting the Puget Sound region. The group advocated for implementation of key provisions from the 2018 FAA Reauthorization Act, including a review of the 65 DNL noise standard, a study on the health impacts of overflight noise, and a new environmental mitigation pilot program. The meetings emphasized that local authorities have limited power to address flight paths, aircraft types, or noise insulation funding, and that federal action is needed to provide new tools and resources for affected communities.

This 2018 Year in Review from Kaplan Kirsch & Rockwell summarizes key developments in airport law, including the passage of the FAA Reauthorization Act, which addressed airport funding, noise, and hazardous chemicals in firefighting foams. The digest also covers major federal court decisions on topics such as drone regulations, airport noise challenges, and NextGen/Metroplex flight pattern disputes. It serves as a reference for airport legal professionals navigating the evolving regulatory and litigation landscape heading into 2019.

The October 24, 2018 StART meeting brought together the Port of Seattle, neighboring communities, airlines, and the FAA to discuss progress on reducing aviation noise around Sea-Tac Airport. Key topics included a possible voluntary nighttime flight curfew between midnight and 5 a.m., updates to the FAA Reauthorization Bill, and presentations from Boeing, Alaska Airlines, and Delta Airlines on new quieter aircraft and fuel-efficient fleet upgrades. The next public meeting was scheduled for December 19, 2018 at SeaTac City Hall.

This white paper analyzes the noise-related provisions of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (H.R. 302), which reauthorized the FAA through fiscal year 2023 and included 14 provisions directly or indirectly addressing aircraft noise. Key measures require the FAA to study alternative noise metrics to replace the Day-Night Average Sound Level (DNL) standard, update Noise Exposure Maps when operations change significantly, and consider dispersal headings for new flight procedures to reduce community noise impacts. Seattle is among the cities specifically identified for a health impacts study related to aviation noise, making these provisions particularly relevant to Sea-Tac Airport stakeholders.

This July 2018 airport law digest covers key developments in FAA reauthorization, noting the House passed a six-year bill but Senate action remained pending, with the FAA's authorization set to expire September 30, 2018. The digest also addresses NextGen flight pattern disputes, including ongoing legal challenges relevant to airport noise impacts, such as a pending SoCal Metroplex case and Maryland petitions concerning flight paths at Reagan National and BWI airports. Additional topics include FBO pricing complaints, supplemental Airport Improvement Program funding deadlines, and concerns about firefighting chemical contamination of water supplies near airports.

The Port of Seattle's 2018 Federal Legislative Agenda outlines priorities for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, including securing federal funding for infrastructure, expanding TSA and customs screening capacity, and addressing the airport's impact on surrounding communities. On noise and environmental issues, the Port sought greater FAA authority to engage local communities on flight path changes and noise concerns, supported studies on ultrafine particulate emissions, and pledged to monitor any proposed changes to the 65 DNL noise mitigation standard. The agenda also emphasized promoting sustainable aviation fuels, protecting immigrant workers, and improving quality of life for residents near the airport.

The Port of Seattle's 2018 Federal Legislative Agenda outlines policy priorities for both aviation and maritime operations, including efforts to increase FAA accountability to communities near airports affected by noise and to confirm that airport-area public schools are eligible for FAA noise insulation grant funding. The agenda also calls for research into the relationship between aviation activity and ultrafine particulate emissions. Approved by the Port Commission in January 2018, the agenda directed staff to engage federal officials in support of these and other infrastructure, immigration, and trade priorities.

The City of Phoenix Aviation Department's 2018 Annual Noise Report covers noise exposure trends across Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX), Phoenix Deer Valley (DVT), and Phoenix Goodyear (GYR) airports for calendar year 2018. The report recorded 434,252 total operations at PHX, 53,280 noise complaints, and a 99.65% compliance rate with noise abatement procedures. Key highlights include FAA community workshops, implementation of updated flight departure routes, renewal of the Noise and Operations Management System contract, and passage of the FAA Reauthorization bill containing nearly 20 noise-related provisions.