TagFAA(687)

In August 2022, the FAA revised its internal guidance on Section 163, most notably changing how it defines a 'project' so that if any part of a development requires FAA approval, the agency retains authority over the entire project — limiting airports' ability to break larger efforts into smaller pieces to avoid oversight. The FAA also proposed a new land use policy in September 2022 governing how airport sponsors may use federally acquired or conveyed airport land for non-aeronautical purposes, identifying four categories of land use that determine when FAA approval is required. Airport sponsors were encouraged to submit comments on the proposed land use policy before October 17, 2022.

This guide explains how airports can pursue non-aeronautical development under Section 163 of federal aviation law, with a 2022 update covering key FAA policy changes. The update clarifies that if any part of a development project requires FAA approval, the agency now claims approval authority over the entire project — limiting a previous practice of splitting projects into smaller pieces to bypass oversight. It also covers a proposed FAA land use policy affecting how airports may lease or repurpose federally acquired or grant-funded airport land for non-aviation uses.

This glossary from an FAA planning document defines key aviation terms used in airport operations and air traffic control, including types of aircraft operations (local and itinerant), radar systems, and airspace classifications. It covers planning concepts such as the Airport Master Plan, Airport Layout Plan, and Airport System Planning, as well as operational facilities like the Airport Traffic Control Tower and Air Route Traffic Control Center. These definitions provide a standardized reference for understanding airport development, airspace management, and noise-related policy discussions at facilities like Sea-Tac Airport.

This map illustrates the F.A.A. density guidelines for the North Sea-Tac Park area, showing recommended population limits per acre across different airport safety zones. The Clear Zone nearest the runway allows the fewest people (approximately 1.5 per acre), while the Extended Clear Zone permits around 2 people per acre, and surrounding residential areas are guided toward densities of 20 to 40 people per acre. A gymnasium is specifically noted at 60 people during games, reflecting how land use intensity is regulated based on proximity to airport flight paths.

This draft report from the King County Policy Development Commission's Land Use Committee outlines the planning process for the Sea-Tac Communities Plan, a joint effort between King County and the Port of Seattle funded by a $640,000 FAA grant awarded in 1972. The plan aimed to concurrently develop a master plan for Sea-Tac International Airport and a companion land-use plan for surrounding communities most affected by airport noise and operations. A Policy Advisory Committee representing government agencies, consultants, and community groups oversaw the process, which moved through four phases covering data collection, site analysis, alternative plan development, and final recommendations for adoption by both the King County Council and the Seattle Port Commission.

This document is a technical annex to the U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks Inventory, outlining the methodologies used to measure and categorize national greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 to 2015. It identifies 'key categories' — the emission sources with the greatest impact on total national greenhouse gas levels, trends, and uncertainty — using standardized IPCC guidelines. The largest emission sources identified include road transportation, coal-fired electricity generation, and natural gas combustion across industrial, residential, and commercial sectors.