THE FAA’s NOISE POLICY REVIEW COMMENT PERIOD IS CLOSED. A HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who sent in comments!

The FAA recently informed the DCA Community Working Group that the proposed changes to approach procedures from the north at DCA, designed to mitigate noise, have passed one level of internal FAA review (finding of “no significant impact”) and have moved to the next level of review (review by the Performance Based Navigation group).

Complaints about airplane noise rise at Reagan National, Dulles

A rebound in air traffic has meant more flights and more noise complaints at the two airports near Washington

THE EFFORT TO ADD MORE FLIGHTS AT DCA FAILED in the House version of the FAA Reauthorization.

THANK YOU SO MUCH to everyone who helped with this STEP towards victory!

[WASHINGTON D.C., JULY 19, 2023] – The Wall Street Journal is slamming the misguided efforts of a Delta-backed group and several members of Congress trying to change the slot and perimeter rules at Reagan National Airport [DCA], acknowledging that more flights at DCA would mean more delays and congestion at the overburdened airport. The Journal criticizes the Owens amendment – which is pushing to add more flights to DCA — for putting the interests of members of Congress over those of the public.

Residents who live under and near Reagan National Airport’s flight paths and visitors to the National Mall from around the world are already exposed to a conveyor belt of noise spikes from more than 400 aircraft every day. Unlike with highways, there is no sound barrier for this noise. It undermines the serenity and grandeur of our treasured national monuments and poses a serious health threat for tens of thousands of residents.

On Tuesday, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure held a markup of the FAA Reauthorization.  An amendment to add more flights to DCA was withdrawn, and the committee ultimately passed the bill out of committee without any changes to the slot and perimeter rules. 

A terrific investigative report about the health implications of noise was published last weekend by the New York Times.

Great news! The Washington Post editorial board just published an opinion piece opposing any changes to the slot and perimeter rule. In their words: “This would make a mess of DCA — worsening delays, noise, congestion and overcrowding — while destabilizing the regional air network.”

George Allen, a Republican, was governor of Virginia from 1994 to 1998, a U.S. senator from 2001 to 2007, a member of the House from 1991 to 1993 and a member of the Virginia House of Delegates from 1983 to 1991. He is a Reagan Ranch presidential scholar for the Young America’s Foundation.

Congressional threat to expand the Perimeter Rule at DCA is in the news

A new organization calling itself the Capital Access Alliance is urging Congress to eliminate the long-standing perimeter rule at Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Doing so would allow unlimited long-haul flights to arrive and depart at DCA.

BIG NEWS: The DCA Community Noise Working Group recently voted to endorse the FAA design for a new GPS-based approach procedure that is expected to provide some aircraft noise mitigation for our communities.