October 2020 MCQSC Update: Aviation Noise Survey Completed and Changes to Departure Procedures
Fall is in the air! While (thankfully) there are not as many airplanes in our skies, airplane noise will return to normal levels eventually. To that end, we wanted to give you a couple of updates.
Montgomery County/Arlington County Consultant
As you know, our consultant recently conducted an aviation noise survey to identify how impacted communities view the issue of fairness when it comes to developing alternative flight procedures north of DCA.
Of 1642 responses, nearly 60%, totaling 956 people, were from Montgomery County. We are very pleased with that response rate – thank you! Approximately 30% of responses were from Arlington and approximately 10% from DC. Some of you pointed out flaws with the survey, but it was just the first step in what we truly hope will lead to effective outcomes. Once the results are evaluated, we will update you on the timeline for the consultant’s next steps. Thanks to everyone who completed the survey and for sharing it with your communities!
Changes to North-Flow Departure Procedures
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced changes to the north-flow departure procedures at Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) that will go into effect on December 31, 2020. North-flow departures are those that take off initially heading north from the airport (including all those that head towards Montgomery County), rather than south, regardless of their final destinations.
New north-flow departure procedures are coming about because the U.S. Secret Service was concerned about the number of aircraft incursions into restricted airspace near the White House, Capitol, and National Mall. There are 9 current north-flow departure procedures. HOLTB is the procedure the FAA is using to test the new route required by the Secret Service. It is one of 3 so-called “easterly departure procedures” (departures ultimately heading to locations north and east of DC, i.e. Philadelphia, New York, Boston). The main change with HOLTB is one waypoint very close to the airport near Key Bridge. The old waypoint ADAXE is being replaced with a new waypoint, REVGE. Again, this is about keeping aircraft farther west on departure so that pilots will avoid restricted airspace.
Eventually, all 9 “north-flow” departure procedures out of DCA will incorporate the new waypoint (REVGE) and the test procedure will be renamed AIMEE. Although these flights ultimately head towards Montgomery County, these changes close-in to the airport will not affect our communities.
The good news: Since the FAA was forced by the Secret Service to modify the north-flow departure procedures, and we have learned that openings to modify procedures are few and far between, the Montgomery County Community Working Group representatives asked the FAA to incorporate a prior proposal that will help Montgomery County communities. This change will direct departing aircraft that are heading to westerly and southern destinations (“westerly departures”) to cut the corner sooner as they are turning west, in order to fly over non-residential areas near the river (such as the CIA and the Carderock Naval Center). The full Community Working Group endorsed the request and the FAA agreed to it. Therefore, we expect that the planned westerly departure procedures will result in some improvements for many Montgomery County residents (i.e. those who live in Potomac, Carderock, and parts of Cabin John and Bethesda).
● The FAA has provided background and a project update about the planned departure changes.
● This departure map, from page 237 of the CATEX pertaining to these adjustments, shows
Unfortunately, mitigating the noise from north-flow “easterly” departures that impact other areas of Montgomery County is a particularly complex problem, and it was not possible to solve that issue during these procedure adjustments. However, the aviation consultant has been tasked to work with the FAA to find viable options to help those communities as well.
This is a marathon, and yes, we’re in it for the long haul!
Montgomery County Quiet Skies Coalition Meetings
The MCQSC team has been discussing whether to hold a virtual meeting this Fall. Given the amount of time most of us are spending on Zoom meetings, our inclination is to wait until the consultant has more information to share with us or when other noteworthy issues arise. In the meantime, if anyone has any questions, please reach out to us!