Contrails 101

What is a contrail? What are contrails made of? Can I see them? How are they formed? Where are they formed? How long do they last in the sky? Are they dangerous to humans? Do contrails affect climate? What are the ingredients of jet fuel, and are they necessary for the formation of contrails? Why

United Grounds Some Boeing 777 Jets After Engine Failure

Jaclyn Diaz Pieces of an engine from United Airlines Flight 328 sit scattered in a neighborhood after the jet’s engine failure on Saturday after takeoff from Denver. Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images United Airlines suspended the use of older model Boeing 777 jets after an engine failed shortly after takeoff in Colorado on Saturday, raining debris on

House Passes Graves’ Bill to Incentivize Timely Airport Project Construction & Cost Savings

Press Release Washington, D.C. – A bill introduced by Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06) to ensure that Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funds can be used by airports to incentivize the early completion of critical runway and airport projects was approved by the House of Representatives today. North Missouri airports depend on AIP funding to make needed improvements. The

Congressional Quiet Skies Caucus Letter To FAA Administrator Steve Dickson re DNL65

Discussion:

Currently, FAA law has extremely complicated rules for establishing a noise boundary around airports. (A noise boundary is a geographic area inside which there is a certain acceptable noise level.) This is referred to as the DNL65. and it has several major flaws. The FAA Reauthorization Act Of 2018 attempted to address these flaws in several ways. This letter, from a caucus of Congressmen engaged on airport community issues complains to the Administrator that the spirit of the law is not being adhered to and demands that he make attempts to put his agency into compliance. The language is fairly technical, however there are a couple of basic points they raise: First, that the noise boundary be determined by actual noise measurements (currently the noise boundaries are 'modeled' and those calculations often do not reflect in any way the lived experience for residents.) Second, that the 'acceptable' noise level of sixty five decibels (hence DNL65) has been determined to be far too high to conform with current understandings of healthy living.

Currently, FAA law has extremely complicated rules for establishing a noise boundary around airports. (A noise boundary is a geographic area inside which there is ...