TagFAA(797)

This document bundle relates to a 2018 media inquiry from KING 5 Television to the City of Burien regarding an FAA flight path decision affecting the Seattle-Tacoma (Sea-Tac) Airport area, along with an FAA Air Traffic Initial Environmental Review from May 2016. The environmental review describes a proposed Letter of Agreement between Sea-Tac's Air Traffic Control Tower and the Seattle Terminal Radar Approach Control facility to standardize turboprop departure headings to 250 degrees during north flow operations, routing smaller aircraft westward to improve safety and reduce ground delays. The change was intended to de-conflict slower turboprops from faster jet traffic and Boeing Field operations, though it raised noise concerns for communities such as Burien located under the newly defined flight paths.

The Burien Airport Committee (BAC) met on April 17, 2018 to discuss the city's response to Sea-Tac Airport-related concerns, including noise contour maps, air pollution health impacts, and environmental justice issues. The committee reviewed potential priorities such as updating FAA noise contour maps, inventorying air pollution studies, and engaging Port of Seattle commissioners on community concerns. Draft minutes from the March 20, 2018 meeting were also included, documenting the committee's brainstorming of initiatives to better understand airport impacts and advocate for the Burien community.

In April 2018, the FAA issued a Categorical Exclusion allowing Seattle-Tacoma International Airport's control tower (SEA ATCT) to automatically direct southbound turboprop aircraft to turn westward to a 250-degree heading within one nautical mile of the runway end, rather than waiting for the Seattle TRACON radar facility to issue the turn after takeoff. This procedural change, active between 6 am and 10 pm during north-flow operations, was designed to improve safety and efficiency by reducing delays in aircraft transitioning to their filed flight routes. The FAA determined the action would not significantly increase noise over sensitive areas and therefore required no further environmental review beyond this Categorical Exclusion.

This April 2018 Federal Aviation Administration document describes a proposed procedural change at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to automatically direct southbound turboprop aircraft to a 250-degree westerly heading during north-flow operations between 6 am and 10 pm, rather than requiring air traffic controllers to manually coordinate each turn. The nighttime hours of 10 pm to 6 am were excluded from the automatic turn procedure in response to community concerns from the City of Burien and other residents about flight noise over sensitive areas. The document evaluates this preferred alternative alongside other options, including changes to heading angles and missed approach procedures, which were ultimately eliminated due to safety and airspace separation requirements.

FAA categorical exclusion document for updating a Letter of Agreement between Seattle-Tacoma International Airport’s Air Traffic Control Tower and Seattle Terminal Radar Approach Control to automate a 250° westerly turn for southbound turboprops during north-flow operations. The automated turn would be suspended between 10 pm and 6 am in response to comments from the City

A presentation by David Goebel addressing the noise impact of the FAA’s NextGen program on Vashon Island. The document covers airport flow fundamentals, conventional RADAR vs NextGen RNAV approaches, and action items for addressing the noise issue.

The FAA's Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions and Noise (CLEEN) program is a public-private partnership aimed at reducing aircraft fuel burn, emissions, and noise through new engine and aircraft technologies and alternative jet fuels. Running in three phases from 2010 through 2025, the program sets increasingly ambitious targets, including up to a 75% reduction in NOx emissions and a 40% reduction in fuel burn by 2026. These advancements are relevant to communities near busy airports like Sea-Tac, as the program's noise reduction goals include a 25 dB cumulative reduction relative to Stage 5 standards.

This FAA information sheet explains two main ways airports and communities can work together to address aircraft noise: the formal Part 150 Noise Compatibility Program, which follows federal regulations and can unlock federal funding for solutions like sound insulation, and Community Roundtables, which are voluntary ongoing forums where neighbors, airlines, and airport representatives discuss a broad range of noise and airport concerns. While Part 150 studies are structured, time-limited processes that result in an approved Noise Compatibility Plan, roundtables operate continuously under their own bylaws without a defined end date. The FAA recommends that airports consider using both approaches together for the most effective community engagement.