This November 2017 presentation by David Goebel examines how the FAA's NextGen modernization program—specifically the new 'HAWKZ' RNAV flight procedure—has increased aircraft noise over Vashon Island, located west of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. It explains why so many arriving flights are routed over the island despite SeaTac's runways running north-south, compares the old radar-based approach with the new GPS-guided one, and discusses the real-world altitude impacts residents have experienced. The presentation also covers community response options and what other affected neighborhoods have done to push back against similar NextGen-related noise increases.Open full document
Notes
Presentation by David Goebel (nornp.org) delivered November 5, 2017, addressing the noise impact of the FAA’s NextGen program on Vashon Island. Topics include airport flow fundamentals explaining why Sea-Tac Airport arrivals overfly Vashon Island despite north/south runway orientation, Southflow vs. Northflow statistics, conventional RADAR STAR procedures versus the new NextGen HAWKZ RNAV approach, intended and actual altitude outcomes of the procedure change, real-time flight path resources, and actions taken by other communities. Also references the Schultz Curve on community noise response and behavioral consequences of environmental noise exposure.