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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