Jul 21

Loudoun Board Weighs in on FAA Noise Policy; FAA Extends Public Comment Deadline to September 29

Posted on July 21, 2023 at 11:19 AM by Nancy McCormick

The Loudoun Board of Supervisors voted during its July 18, 2023, meeting to send a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) outlining the Board’s views about Dulles International Airport in response to the federal agency’s requested public input about its Civil Aviation Noise Policy.

The letter will be sent as the county staff endeavors to work with the FAA to address noise concerns raised by residents living west of Dulles International Airport. In the letter, which is signed by Chair Phyllis Randall, the Board requests the FAA require two noise exposure studies when airports reach certain operational thresholds; consider amendments to the federal Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act of 1979; create guidance for establishing public outreach programs and advisory committees; and create funding programs to award grants to residential and commercial landowners impacted by aviation-related noise.

Currently, county staff has hired a consultant to assist the Board in engaging the FAA and making recommendations related to residents living west of the airport’s east-west aligned runway. 

Anyone can provide input to the FAA about its Civil Aviation Noise Policy by visiting the FAA website at: https://www.faa.gov/noisepolicyreview. The deadline for input has been extended to September 29, 2023. 

More Information

Read the staff report prepared for the Board of Supervisors July 18, 2023, meeting: Federal Aviation Administration Community Process to Mitigate Aircraft Noise within the Area of the Airport Impact Overlay District (PDF)

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May 23

FAA Noise Policy Review Hearings Continue as Loudoun County Attempts to Engage Agency

Posted on May 23, 2023 at 11:21 AM by Nancy McCormick

Loudoun County is passing along an opportunity for the public to provide feedback to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding aircraft noise. The FAA has scheduled webinars about aircraft noise as the agency conducts its Noise Policy Review (NPR), which the FAA indicates will help them address aircraft noise throughout the country. 

The FAA hearings coincidentally are occurring at the same time as Loudoun’s ongoing efforts to engage the FAA about noise concerns from residents living west of Dulles International Airport. Those concerns were raised when the Board of Supervisors adopted a new Airport Impact Overlay District for properties around and near Dulles Airport in January 2023. The FAA has acknowledged Loudoun’s request and is preparing a response.

Meanwhile, the FAA will continue hearings related to its nationwide NPR. Members of the public may learn more by attending one of the upcoming webinars. In addition, the FAA is accepting comments submitted online, by mail, by FAX or hand-delivered until July 31, 2023. 

According to the FAA announcement, four key considerations of its civil aviation noise policy are under review: recreational and commercial fixed-wing airplanes, helicopters, commercial space transportation vehicles, unmanned aircraft systems, as well as emerging technology vehicles (newer types of vehicles that will operate in U.S. airspace). 

The FAA has been holding virtual public meetings about the NPR throughout May. The remaining webinars via Zoom and YouTube are scheduled for: 

  • Tuesday, May 23, 2023, 9:00 -11:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, May 25, 2023, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

To learn more about the FAA’s Noise Policy Review, how to participate in the webinar and how to submit comments, visit the FAA’s website at: faa.gov/noisepolicyreview.

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May 18

FAA Invites Public Comment on Noise Policy Review

Posted on May 18, 2023 at 3:23 PM by Nancy McCormick

Loudoun County is passing along an opportunity for the public to provide feedback to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding aircraft noise. The FAA has scheduled webinars about aircraft noise as the agency conducts its Noise Policy Review (NPR), which the FAA indicates will help them address aircraft notice throughout the country. Members of the public may learn more by attending one of the upcoming webinars. In addition, the FAA is accepting comments submitted online, by mail, by FAX or hand-delivered until July 31, 2023.  

According to the FAA announcement, four key considerations of its civil aviation noise policy, are under review: recreational and commercial fixed wing airplanes, helicopters, commercial space transportation vehicles, unmanned aircraft systems, as well as emerging technology vehicles (newer types of vehicles that will operate in U.S. airspace).  

Public meetings via Zoom and YouTube: 

  • Thursday, May 18, 2023, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. 
  • Tuesday, May 23, 2023, 9:00 to 11:00 p.m. 
  • Thursday, May 25, 2023, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. 

To learn more about the FAA’s Noise Policy Review, how to participate in the webinars, and how to submit comments, visit the FAA’s website at: faa.gov/noisepolicyreview

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