TagFAA(481)

In March 2013, FAA Administrator Michael Huerta sent letters to key members of Congress reporting on the FAA's strategy to accelerate implementation of NextGen air traffic management capabilities developed through the Greener Skies project. The report was submitted as required by Section 225 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, and draws on recommendations from the RTCA NextGen Mid-Term Implementation Task Force 5 report issued in September 2009. The Greener Skies project aimed to modernize flight procedures in ways that could affect flight paths and noise exposure at airports such as Sea-Tac.

This 2013 report from the National Academies provides updated guidelines for airport sound insulation programs (SIPs), helping airport sponsors manage the process of reducing aircraft noise in homes, schools, hospitals, and other noise-sensitive buildings. It covers key topics such as construction contracting, federal funding requirements, and best practices for working with homeowners and contractors on government-funded renovation projects. The guidelines are intended for use by airport staff, consultants, and FAA offices in developing compliant noise compatibility programs.

In October 2012, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved new GPS-based arrival flight paths into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) under the 'Greener Skies Over Seattle' initiative. The new procedures, developed in partnership with Alaska Airlines, Boeing, and the Port of Seattle, use satellite navigation technology to guide arriving aircraft on more precise, fuel-efficient descent paths from the northwest and southwest. The FAA concluded that the changes would not cause significant environmental harm, issuing a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) alongside its formal approval.

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 Federal Aviation Administration document describes how the NextGen air traffic modernization program benefits both general aviation and commercial airports through improved GPS-based approach procedures, ADS-B surveillance technology, and more efficient departure queue management systems. Key upgrades include WAAS/LPV approaches that allow aircraft to land in low-visibility conditions without expensive ground equipment, and surface surveillance tools to better track aircraft and vehicles on the ground. The document also outlines plans to optimize airspace procedures across 21 metropolitan areas to reduce delays and improve safety.