TagPart 161(11)

H.R. 5205, the Aircraft Noise Reduction Act, is a bill introduced in September 2025 that would allow owners and operators of general aviation airports to work with the FAA to adjust air traffic and training flight patterns in order to reduce aircraft noise in surrounding communities. The bill protects airports from losing federal funding simply for pursuing these noise-reduction measures and requires community input to be considered in the process. It also directs the Secretary of Transportation to update federal regulations to make noise abatement measures more accessible to general aviation airports.

14 CFR Part 161 sets out the federal rules governing how airports like Sea-Tac must notify the public and obtain FAA approval before imposing noise and access restrictions on aircraft operations. It covers different requirements depending on whether restrictions apply to older Stage 2 aircraft or newer Stage 3 aircraft, including mandatory analysis, public comment periods, and formal FAA review. Airports that fail to follow these procedures risk losing federal grant funds and passenger facility charges.

This document contains correspondence related to Sea-Tac Airport noise and flight operations concerns, including a legal analysis explaining why capping flights would face significant obstacles under the U.S. Commerce Clause and FAA regulations, along with alternative approaches such as Part 161 Studies and state emissions legislation. It also includes a letter from the cities of Burien and Des Moines outlining conditions for rejoining the Sea-Tac Airport Round Table (StART), demanding meeting recordings, reversal of a $10 million design expenditure made without proper environmental review, and responses to outstanding written concerns that had gone unanswered by the Port of Seattle.

This Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) page outlines the agency's Airport Noise programs, covering two key regulatory frameworks: Airport Noise Compatibility Planning (14 CFR Part 150) and Airport Noise and Access Restrictions (14 CFR Part 161). It provides links to funding summaries, noise exposure maps, planning data by state, and regulatory guidance including advisory circulars on noise control and sound insulation for residences near airports. The page also references the FAA's Land Use Planning Initiative, which offers guidance to airport sponsors and local agencies on improving compatibility between airports and surrounding communities.

Federal Aviation Administration’s decision disapproving Los Angeles World Airports’ application to restrict and penalize certain easterly Stage 3 aircraft departures from Los Angeles International Airport between midnight and 6:30AM. The FAA found that while LAWA’s application met three of six statutory conditions, all conditions must be satisfied for approval.