Three Sessions Held Focusing On New Departure Routes From KDCA

The FAA held three community workshops this week in Arlington, VA, the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. and Bethesda, MD, to talk to local residents about proposed new departure routes from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). The northbound routes are designed to increase flight time over the Potomac River to address noise complaints and to increase the distance between aircraft and the prohibited airspace over the National Mall.

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) formed a broad-based community group called the Reagan National Community Noise Working Group in October 2015 to identify practical aircraft noise solutions and make recommendations to the FAA. The DCA Working Group’s voting members include neighborhood residents appointed by elected officials from local communities, and two airline representatives. The Airports Authority and the FAA serve as non-voting, advisory Working Group members. The Airports Authority forwards the DCA Working Group’s approved recommendations to the FAA for consideration and action.

In November 2015, the FAA briefed the group on three alternative north flow departure designs. The following month, the FAA briefed the group on the tentative noise analysis. The noise analysis results indicated no significant or reportable changes in noise exposure with the implementation of the proposed procedures. The Working Group voted to select alternative “B” and recommended that the FAA move forward with the project.

FMI: www.faa.gov/nextgen/communityengagement/dc