TagGeneral Aviation(60)

In a July 2022 congressional hearing, Chairman Ro Khanna highlighted the health dangers of leaded aviation fuel (Avgas) still used in small general aviation aircraft, noting that children near airports in communities of color face blood lead levels exceeding those seen during the Flint water crisis. The statement criticizes the FAA and EPA for failing to act urgently on phasing out leaded fuel, despite the existence of viable unleaded alternatives, and accuses oil companies and aviation industry groups of deliberately delaying the transition. Khanna calls on federal agencies to accelerate approval of lead-free fuel options, involve affected communities in decision-making, and use infrastructure funding to support the switch to unleaded aviation fuel.

The Washington State Commercial Aviation Coordinating Commission's 2022 report to the Legislature identifies six existing airports — including Paine Field, Bremerton National, and Tacoma Narrows — as candidates for expanded aviation capacity, while also exploring potential greenfield sites for a new airport. The report summarizes public input showing that a majority of respondents support building new aviation capacity despite environmental costs, and outlines the Commission's guiding principles of public benefit, economic feasibility, environmental responsibility, and social equity. The Commission's final recommendations are expected by February 15, 2023.

This 2021 report by Mountain Data Group, commissioned by Santa Clara County, examines the health risks posed to children living near Reid-Hillview Airport in California due to lead emissions from leaded aviation gasoline. It analyzes statistical associations between children's blood lead levels and factors such as residential distance from the airport, aircraft traffic, and fuel sales. Note that while this report focuses on lead exposure from aviation fuel at a California airport, it does not address noise policy or Sea-Tac Airport operations.

A 2021 study by Transport & Environment found that private jets are 5 to 14 times more polluting per passenger than commercial aircraft, and 50 times more polluting than trains, with European private jet CO2 emissions rising 31% between 2005 and 2019. Just 1% of people are responsible for 50% of global aviation emissions, with private jets disproportionately used for very short trips under 500km where aircraft are least fuel-efficient. The report calls for urgent decarbonization policies targeting the private jet sector, noting that high-speed train alternatives already exist on the majority of the most popular private jet routes.

This June 2020 working paper, prepared by WSP for the Puget Sound Regional Council, analyzes the aviation needs of the greater Seattle-Tacoma region across commercial passenger service, air cargo, and general aviation. It evaluates current airport performance, benchmarks regional airports against comparable systems, and identifies infrastructure challenges and opportunities to meet future demand. The study assesses system-wide requirements and multimodal access needs to guide long-term regional aviation planning.

This document presents the agenda and materials for the second technical workshop of the Regional Aviation Baseline Study, held on October 10, 2019. The workshop covered key aviation metrics across commercial service, air cargo, general aviation, and multimodal access, as well as an analysis of regional aviation needs including capacity versus demand, challenges, and opportunities by sector. A regional airspace analysis and discussion of next steps were also included.

This 2019 Working Paper, prepared by WSP for the Puget Sound Regional Council, examines airport and aviation activity across the greater Seattle-Tacoma region as part of a Regional Aviation Baseline Study. It covers commercial aviation, general aviation, and air cargo trends and forecasts, along with multimodal access and economic context for the region's airports. The study establishes baseline data and metrics to inform future regional aviation planning and policy decisions.

The FAA Aerospace Forecast for Fiscal Years 2019–2039 projects steady growth in U.S. air travel, with domestic passenger traffic expected to increase an average of 1.8 percent per year over the next two decades. The report highlights how U.S. airlines have restructured since the 2007–09 recession, achieving ten consecutive years of profitability by cutting costs and consolidating operations. Increased flight activity and a growing commercial aircraft fleet may have implications for noise levels at busy airports such as Seattle-Tacoma International.