TagFAA(684)

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Department of Transportation (DOT) are seeking nominations for membership on the Aircraft Noise Advisory Committee (ANAC), a panel established to provide independent advice on aircraft noise exposure and FAA noise policies. The committee will evaluate noise research, explore alternatives to current noise measurement standards, and assess community engagement efforts around airspace changes near airports. Nominations were due by August 10, 2026, and could be submitted by email to aircraftnoiseadvisorycommittee@faa.gov.

The Port of Seattle submitted this Noise Exposure Map (NEM) Report to the Federal Aviation Administration under 14 CFR Part 150, documenting aircraft noise levels around Seattle-Tacoma International Airport for 2022 (existing conditions) and 2032 (projected future conditions). The report was prepared by Environmental Science Associates and certified by the Port's Director of Aviation Environment and Sustainability on June 26, 2026, confirming that current airport operations remain consistent with the 2022 data. It includes documentation of public and agency consultation, noise contour maps showing areas exposed to DNL 65+ decibel levels, and supporting forecasts of aircraft activity through 2032.

The City of Des Moines, WA provided its City Council with an update on the Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, following the FAA's September 2025 approval of 31 near-term expansion projects — including 19 new gates, a second terminal, and cargo facilities. The Port of Seattle launched a state-level environmental review (SEPA) in May 2026, releasing a Draft Environmental Impact Statement with a 60-day public comment period. Des Moines is collaborating with the cities of Burien and SeaTac through an Interlocal Agreement to submit coordinated comments, with the final report expected in 2027.

This Memorandum of Understanding establishes a cost-sharing agreement between Prince George's County (Maryland), Fairfax County (Virginia), and the City of Alexandria (Virginia) to jointly hire a contractor to study and propose ways to reduce aircraft noise impacts near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Each of the three parties agrees to contribute up to $83,333 toward a total project budget of $250,000, with Alexandria taking the lead on contractor procurement and contract management. The agreement runs for two years with the option to renew for up to two additional one-year terms.

A Des Moines resident's formal comment argues that the Seattle-Area Metroplex Environmental Impact Statement's noise analysis is legally inadequate because it relies solely on a federal FAA noise threshold rather than Washington State's own multi-factor significance standard. The comment contends that the standard noise metric used (DNL) masks the real impact of roughly 96 additional daily flights projected by 2037, since it averages out individual disturbance events rather than counting them. The commenter calls for supplemental analysis using alternative metrics—such as single-event sound levels and nighttime averages—supported by peer-reviewed health studies linking aircraft noise to sleep disruption and cardiovascular harm.

This technical appendix, prepared by Jeffery Bogen of DAAC in May 2026, analyzes runway and airspace capacity at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to support the Port of Seattle's Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) environmental review process. It compares FAA 2016 baseline hourly flow rates against observed 2024–2026 performance data, documents current capacity improvements, and projects annual flight operations through 2037 under both constrained and unconstrained growth scenarios. The document is intended as supporting reference material for public comments on seating capacity impacts under SEPA/EIS review.

A historical overview of air traffic control development in the United States, from airline-initiated systems before WWII through the formation of the FAA and implementation of radar technology. Includes specific history of Chicago ARTCC from its origins at Midway Airport in the 1950s to its modern operations in Aurora, Illinois.