TagLOA(3)

This January 2020 FAA document updates a noise and air traffic policy for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac), allowing the airport's control tower to automatically direct southbound turboprop aircraft to make a westerly turn shortly after takeoff during north-flow operations, between 6am and 10pm. The change, originally implemented in 2016 but suspended after a legal challenge by the City of Burien, underwent a thorough environmental and noise review before being reinstated. The FAA determined that while the procedure may slightly concentrate turboprop flight paths, the resulting noise increases remain well below federally established thresholds requiring further environmental review.

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 July 2016 Federal Aviation Administration Letter of Agreement establishes coordination and control procedures between Seattle Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) and Seattle Airport Traffic Control Tower, replacing a prior agreement from June 2013. It outlines responsibilities for managing air traffic, including pre-arranged coordination protocols, handling of Boeing Field arrivals and departures, and conditions under which those procedures may be suspended. The document governs how controllers at both facilities communicate and share airspace authority around the Seattle area.