Amazon development in VA potentially affecting DCA flight patterns
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Anonymous
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What do you think of the potential issue summarized in the letter below? It seems like VA gets economic development and shiny new buildings, while DC may just get more airplane traffic and noise.
———————————————— Dear Councilmember Cheh and Council Chair Mendelson, I am the Ward 3 representative on the CWG Noise committee sponsored by MWAA and the FAA. At the CWG meeting on April 28, the topic of Amazon-related development in Arlington and Alexandria came up because of potential implications on DCA aircraft flight patterns. Recently, Arlington updated its Crystal City Sector Development Plan - (https://arlingtonva.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/31/2021/09/CRYSTAL-CITY-SECTOR-PLAN_JAN112012_web.pdf) Appendix A.4 "FAA Feasibility Review of Building Heights" on page 156, describes preliminary analysis regarding building height and potential necessary flight path mitigations for airline safety. Page 158 provides a list of these issues and mitigations. The troubling and repeated mitigation recommended by the FAA is "Impacts to circling minima can be mitigated by not allowing aircraft to circle to the west of DCA.” This implies that planes circling DCA would be routed eastward towards DC. This would affect not only affect Wards 2&3 north of DCA, but also Wards 6&7 south of DCA. Arlington County recently approved the Amazon development plan. Further troubling are Alexandria City development plans described by MWAA at the meeting. The FAA indicated that several planned building development heights intruded into safe airspace, notably the proposed Virginia Tech Complex off of Route 1. The incursions into safe airspace ranged from 47-90 feet. The FAA is proceeding with a detailed aeronautical study with Alexandria planning. I asked MWAA and the FAA how other nearby (read DC) DCA stakeholder jurisdictions would be included in the study outcome. Neither MWAA or the FAA were able to cogently respond and appeared confused over what, if any, formal venue exists for including other jurisdictions. I thought this was strange, but as I have often said, MWAA seems to only care about its revenue stream from airport gates and concessions. Perhaps this is old news to you because you have already been briefed by DC’s MWAA representatives? I would appreciate understanding how the District interacts with the FAA on Arlington and Alexandria development planning implications on aircraft flight paths. More importantly, how will Ward 3 (and other Wards) communities be engaged in reviewing any plans? Thank you for your courtesy. Kind regards, Ken Buckley Ward 3 CWG representative |
Anonymous
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In a separate message to a local list serve, the same person, Ken Buckley, says:
—————- I am frustrated and embarrassed that the District government does not seem to care. Unlike other river-based localities in MD & VA, the DC government does not attend the quarterly CWG meetings. Neither DDOE or DDOT have staff dedicated to track flight path and noise issues. My attempted contacts with these agencies has only uncovered an abundance of indifference and ignorance. Council Member Cheh and her staff are responsive and engaged [….] ————— As a Ward 3 resident, I find the situation quite sad. I wish our politician would stand by us. |
Anonymous
| Just one more examply of VA dumping on DC. Arlington is all too happy to push their aircraft noise to DC. |
Anonymous
| Doesn't DC have buildings taller than 47'? The aren't going to circle over DC. There's one direction left. |
Anonymous
Oh no, you have it backwards. DC is very well organized on this issue. The FAA noise complaints are overwhelmingly from the DC side. Arlington is just catching up. |
Anonymous
Noise complaints do very little in practice. You need engagement from the top. |
Anonymous
DC does not have a representation so all the air traffic is drected there. It starts a 530ish and go to mid night or later. |
Anonymous
Yes, they are. But Mayor "Vision Zero" Bowser and her staff also have to engage, and it seems they are not. And where is Delegate E.H. Norton? Her recent focus on renaming sliver parks shouldn't completely divert her attention from issues that affect the quality of life of her Washingonian constituents. |
Anonymous
It's pay-to-play with Mayor Bowser. Clearly you aren't donating enough. |
Anonymous
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VA will continue to grow jobs and strengthen its corporate tax base.
DC will continue to whine and complain. |
Anonymous
I thought the last shift moved the river approach closer to Va. And plenty of planes cut across southern parts of Arlington. I’ve seen and heard them occasionally over my house and I’m not in the flight path. Honestly I think they should close DCA. |
Anonymous
Not going to happen. |
Anonymous
| Make sure it gets to Kojo for the next mayoral debate |
Anonymous
I believe that’s when there’s some sort of incursion. Which seems to happen…a lot. But no way is it getting closed. Members of Congress and their staffs need it too much. |
Anonymous
As well as the 20+ million other passengers who find it convenient. |