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News and Updates – FAA to Implement Las Vegas Metroplex Project

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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will implement the Las Vegas Metroplex projecton Feb. 25, 2021.

The comprehensive project will use satellite navigation to move air traffic more safely and efficiently through the area. New routes forMcCarran International Airport, Henderson Executive Airport, and North Las Vegas Airportwill bemore direct, automatically separated from each other and have efficient climb and descent profiles.It is one of 11 Metroplex projects nationwide.

Community involvement was a critical part of the projects environmental process. TheFAA conducted a thorough environmental review and extensive public engagement for the project, including 11 public workshops in 2017 and 2019.The agency also held four public comment periods totaling more than 120days,and evaluated and responded to more than 140comments.

After the FAA implements the new procedures, some flight track dispersion will continue to occur as it does today. Additionally, air traffic controllers will continue to sometimes direct aircraft off published routesfor safety or efficiency or to reroute them around weather systems.

The FAA issued theFinding of No Significant Impact-Record ofDecision(FONSI-ROD)for the Las Vegas Metroplex project in July 2020. Theagencys initial plan to implement the new routes in November 2020 was delayed by theCOVID-19 public health emergency.

After issuing the FONSI-ROD, the FAAmade minor adjustmentsto five procedures that are part of the project. The agency conducted athorough review of the changesand confirmed they did not warrant a supplement to the final Environmental Assessment, consistent with FAA environmental policy.

The Las Vegas Metroplex environmental website includes Google Earth features that enablethe publicto viewhistoricand projected flight paths associated with the project, as well as the noise analysis theFAA conducted at more than 172,000 grid points throughout the projected General Study Area.

News and Updates – U.S. DOT Announces Nearly $2 Billion Grant Program for COVID Relief to Airports

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Funds will protect the health of travelers and workers and keep our airport operations and small businesses running.

News and Updates – FAA to Hold Webinar on Aviation Noise Effects and Mitigation Research Portfolio

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WASHINGTON The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will hold a public webinar to present its recently-released Noise Research Portfolio and Neighborhood Environmental Survey on Monday, Feb. 22, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. ET.

The webinar will provide an overview of the agencys noise research program, including the survey, followed by a live question and answer session. It will be held on the Zoom platform and livestreamed across social media on the FAAs Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn accounts. You can register to attend the webinar on www.faa.gov.

The FAA is sharing information on its aircraft noise research programs that include initiatives related to the effects of aviation noise impacts on the public, efforts to mitigate such noise exposure, and research on public perception of aviation noise. This information includes theresults of the Neighborhood Environmental Survey, a multi-year research effort to review and improve FAAs understanding of community response to noise. The survey included responses from more than 10,000 people living near 20 airports across the country, and the results show an increased level of reported annoyance due to aircraft noise in contrast to earlier surveys.

The FAA is seeking public comment on its noise research program, including the Neighborhood Environmental Survey and any additional areas recommended for further investigation. The public comment period opened January 13, 2021, and the notice is published in theFederal Register. A link to the notice is also available onthe FAAs Noise Aviation Noise website.

Successfully addressing noise requires continued collaboration among all aviation stakeholders. In this regard, the FAAs research programs provide important insight into the relationship between aircraft noise exposure and the well-being of people living in communities surrounding our nations airports. As part of FAAs broader research on aircraft noise, this survey data and the research related to noise abatement will be used to inform the collaborative efforts to address noise issues.

The FAA actively engages with airport authorities, aircraft manufacturers, airlines, state and local governments and communities to address noise concerns.Its decades-long effort with these partners includes collaboration with airport authorities and community groups to implement noise abatement procedures safely when operationally feasible. The agency also works with local governments to encourage responsible land use planning that avoids building residential housing in areas that will be exposed to significant airplane noise.

Todays civilian aircraft fleet is quieter than at any time in the history of jet-powered flight, and FAA continues to work with manufacturers and air carriers to reduce noise at the source. In fact, over the last four decades, the number of Americans exposed to significant aviation noise near airports has been reduced from 7 million to just over 400,000more than a 94 percent reduction. During the same period, the number of annual passengers increased from around 200 million per year to more than 900 million per year.

News and Updates – The FAA Announces Season 2 of Its Podcast The Air Up There!

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Washington, DC — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) kicks off the second season of its The Air Up There podcast with a bonus episode discussing the FAAs role in the transportation of the COVID-19 vaccine. During the new season, which runs through the summer of 2021, the agency will cover topics including commercial space transportation, drone package delivery, and how to start a career in aviation and aerospace.

The Air Up There first aired last fall with three of the seasons seven episodes highlighting the important role of aviation in responding to the global pandemic. Another episode focused on how the nations air traffic control system works, the role of aviation in wildfires and another on how drones can be used for the good of others. The seasons final podcast episode, FAA Administrator Steve Dickson talked about the path that led him to aviation.

In addition to the bonus episode, the upcoming season of The Air Up There will be packed with stories on drone package deliveries and whats next on the horizon for commercial space in the near future. Well also look at how the FAA works with conservation specialists to make sure the agency is taking the right steps to keep the National Airspace System safe, whether its by avoiding a bird strike or keeping alligators off the runway.

Listen to season one and stay tuned for season two here, as well as on popular podcast apps.

News and Updates – FAA Expands Weather Camera Program to Hawaii

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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is expanding weather-camera services to Hawaii to enhance aviation safety and pilot decision-making. The cameras, which already are installed in Alaska and Colorado, improve safety by providing pilots with near-real time video of weather conditions at their destinations and along their intended flight routes.

The Hawaii project will install 23 camera facilities throughout the islands. The FAA has completed engineering surveys and site selections on Kauai, Lanai, Maui and Molokai, and will begin surveys on Oahu and the Big Island in March 2021. Each facility can accommodate up to four cameras and the images can be viewed at https://weathercams.faa.gov.

The FAA plans to begin camera installations on Kauai in March and will move to the other islands as the agency develops engineering plans, obtains leases and permits, and procures the equipment. The agency expects images from the Kauai cameras will be on its weather-camera website in mid-2021.

The FAA established working groups of aircraft operators and FAA experts on each island to identify prime locations for camera installations and to ensure robust communication between pilots and the agency about the projects progress. The FAA is basing site locations on flight routes and areas where weather conditions commonly affect and interrupt flight operations.

Weather cameras in Alaska have been successful for 20 years. Last year, the FAA helped the Colorado Department of Transportation implement a weather camera program to improve pilot awareness of weather conditions above the Rocky Mountains.

For more insight into the history and future of the FAA Weather Camera Program, go to the FAA Blog,Cleared forTakeOff, to read a new post from our very own Weather Camera Manager, Walter Combs.