OIG

2019-08-27
FAA has made progress in implementing its Metroplex program, but benefits for airspace users have fallen short of expectations

A 2019 U.S. Department of Transportation Inspector General report found that the FAA's Metroplex program—designed to modernize flight routes using satellite-based navigation in busy metropolitan areas—fell significantly short of its promised benefits, delivering only $31.1 million in annual savings compared to the $61.6 million minimum originally projected. The program also faced delays of up to four years, driven largely by community concerns about aircraft noise, which is directly relevant to ongoing noise issues around airports like Sea-Tac. Key obstacles such as unclear pilot-controller terminology and a slow procedure amendment process remained unresolved at the time of the report.

TagsFAA, Metroplex, NextGen, OIG, PBN

As the source for federal transportation grants, the Puget Sound Regional Council was charged with developing a system to meet the growing need for commercial aviation. When the search for a second airport failed, they authorized the Port of Seattle to build the Third Runway, with a mandate to develop a noise abatement and mitigation program. In their effort to stop the Third Runway, the ACC argued over every detail of the Port's efforts--including property buyouts and sound insulation. The dispute was meant to be settled by a three member Expert Arbitration Panel. This is their final report. It finds 2-1, that the Port's program was insufficient in several respects. Despite that, funding for the Third Runway was approved by the PSRC, and the 'Port Package' program, proceeded largely unchanged. Expert Arbitration Panel's final decision finding that the Port of Seattle had not shown sufficient reduction in real on-the-ground noise impacts to satisfy noise reduction conditions required for approval of a third runway at Sea-Tac International Airport. The majority decision concluded the Port's noise abatement programs were insufficient despite being impressive in scope.

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FAA has made progress in implementing its Metroplex program, but benefits for airspace users have fallen short of expectations

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