News and Updates – FAA to Implement South-Central Florida Metroplex on April 22

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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on April 22 will implement the first phase of the South-Central Florida Metroplex, the agencys plan to move flights more safely and efficiently across the southern half of the state. Metroplex procedures will allow flights that are more direct and have more efficient climb and descent profiles.

The agency will publish 54 new procedures on April 22. Seventeen of the procedures will require additional training of air traffic controllers and automation upgrades at air traffic control facilities before they can be implemented. We expect this to occur by mid-August. While these procedures are being published as a package, they are not intended for simultaneous use. They will be available for pilots and air traffic controllers depending on weather and operational requirements. Air traffic controllers occasionally may direct aircraft off published routesfor safety, efficiency or to reroute them around weather systems.

The comprehensive project will improve the efficiency of airspace in the South-Central Florida Metroplex area by optimizing aircraft arrival and departure procedures to and from airports. New routes include some changes in aircraft flight paths and altitudes in certain areas, but will not result in any ground disturbance or increase the number of aircraft operations at any of the airports. The agency designed the new procedures to follow existing flight tracks when possible.

Community involvement was a critical part of the Metroplex environmental process. The FAA conducted extensive outreach to the public before issuing its final decision on the project. The agency held 29 public workshops and two public comment periods totaling 120 days in 2019 and 2020. The agency also evaluated and responded to 3,239 comments in the Final EA.

The FAA issued theFinding of No Significant Impact-Record of Decision (FONSI-ROD)for the South-Central Florida Metroplex project in October 2020.

South-Central Florida is one of 11 Metroplex initiatives nationwide, and it is the final project to be implemented. The FAA will implement the second and final phase of the project in August 2021.

News and Updates – FAA Approves Renewal of Orbital Sciences Launch Operator Licenses

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After completing a comprehensive review, the FAA approved the renewal of two Launch Operator Licenses for Orbital Sciences, LLC, a subsidiary of Northrop Grumman.

The licenses are valid for five years and authorize the company to conduct flights of its Pegasus launch vehicle from the Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia and the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Orbital Sciences must still receive FAA authorization for specific launches.

The Pegasus operates by being attached to a carrier aircraft and launched while airborne to deliver payloads to low earth orbit.

The FAAs top priority in regulating commercial space transportation is that launch and reentry operations are safe for the public.The agency protects public safety by licensing commercial launch and reentry activities and monitoring regulatory compliance in all phases of FAA-licensed operations. It also issues safety approvals for launch and reentry vehicles, various safety systems and the personnel performing licensed activities.

AnFAA licenseis required to conduct any commercial launch or reentry, the operation of any launch or reentry site by U.S. citizens anywhere in the world, or by any individual or entity within the United States.

News and Updates – FAA Releases Scoping Report for SpaceX Environmental Assessment

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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today released a report summarizing the public comments received during the scoping period for an Environmental Assessment (EA) of the SpaceX facility in Boca Chica, Texas. SpaceX plans to launch its Starship/Super Heavy vehicle from that site. The agency received 321 public comments during the scoping period, which ended on Jan. 22, 2021.

The FAA is determining the scope of issues for analysis in the Draft EA and will consider comments received during scoping. The FAA will supervise SpaceXs preparation of the Draft EA with cooperating and participating agencies involved in its development. Once complete, the Draft EA will be provided for public review and comment.

The Draft EA will allow the FAA to determine the appropriate course of action: preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) because the proposed actions environmental impacts would be significant; issuance of a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI); or issuance of a Mitigated FONSI providing for mitigation measures to address the proposed actions environmental impacts.

If the FAA determines the potential environmental impacts of the proposed action would be significant based upon the Draft EA, and those impacts cannot be properly mitigated to less than significant levels, the FAA would publish a Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS and conduct additional public scoping. The FAA may make this determination regarding the course of action at any time, including after the Draft EA has been shared for public review and comment.

As part of the license application process to launch Starship/Super Heavy, SpaceX must complete a safety review and develop agreements in addition to the environmental review.

The SpaceX Starship/Super Heavy proposal falls outside of the scope of the existing Final EIS and Record of Decision for the Boca Chica launch site and requires additional environmental review under theNational Environmental Policy Act(NEPA).

News and Updates – Fly Safe Focus: WINGS Pilot Proficiency Program

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WASHINGTON-This months Fly Safe campaign topic looks at how pilots can maintain proficiency with the Federal Aviation Administrations (FAA) WINGS Pilot Proficiency Program.

Proficiency training is required for most professional pilots and plays a key role in aviation safety. Studies have shown that pilots who participate in regular proficiency training are much less likely to experience accidents. The FAAs WINGS Pilot Proficiency Program is one way for general aviation pilots to ensure they are competent, confident, and safe in their flight operations.

Read more on this important topic on the FAA blog, Cleared for Takeoff.

The FAA launched the #FlySafe national safety campaign in partnership with general aviation groups to help educate general aviation pilots and mechanics about safety topics. Topics are shared monthly with a goal of incorporating safety into every flight.

News and Updates – FAA Releases LaGuardia AirTrain Final Environmental Impact Statement

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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today released the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the LaGuardia Airport Access Improvement Project (AirTrain). The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is proposing to construct a rail system to provide a reliable transit option for air travelers and employees at LaGuardia Airport (LGA).

The FAA prepared the FEIS because the Port Authority plans to request funding for the AirTrain through the Passenger Facility Charge program. The program allows for the collection of fees added to passenger tickets, with those proceeds being used on certain qualifying airport projects, subject to FAA approval. Eighteen different federal, state and local agencies have provided input throughout the EIS process based on their expertise and authorities.

The AirTrain involves construction of an approximately two mile long elevated rail system with three stations: two on airport and one off airport. The stations connect with the New York City Transit Subway 7 Line and the Long Island Rail Road Port Washington Branch at Mets-Willets Point. There will also be passenger walkways connecting to the LGA Central Hall, which provides access to Terminal B and C, parking garages, public transportation, and ground transportation facilities.

The FAA prepared the FEIS in accordance with theNational Environmental Policy Act of 1969which requires the FAA to identify and disclose the potential environmental impacts of the proposed project. The agency looked at 47 alternatives, more than half of which were identified by the public during scoping for the EIS. The alternatives were evaluated to see if they met the purpose and need of the proposed action and if they would be reasonable to construct and operate.

The AirTrain Draft Environmental Impact Statement was released for public review in August 2020 and the FAA held two virtual public workshops and three virtual public hearings in September 2020. The meetings had a combined viewership of over 18,000 people and the public provided over 4,200 comments. The FEIS contains responses to the comments received.

The agency will publish its Record of Decision after 30 days. If the FAA approves the project, construction of the AirTrain is expected to begin in June 2021 and be completed in December 2025.