RNAV

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is in the process of upgrading a system used at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), and at airports across the country, that determine and manage flight procedures. The FAA is replacing this system with new satellite technology, which includes Area Navigation (RNAV). According to the FAA, updating this technology at MSP, coupled with FAA safety standard changes, requires modifying the flight procedures used by airplanes to depart MSP. MSP’s Noise Oversight Committee (NOC) provided feedback to the FAA in January 2024, including local expectations related to aircraft overflights, noise, and meaningful public engagement. The updated procedures are scheduled to go into effect August 2025.   

The FAA held two two virtual public workshops to gather community feedback on their project to update MSP departure procedures using Area Navigation (RNAV) technology. Links to the recordings of the meetings are available below. The FAA accepted public comment through September 15, 2024.

August 14, 2024 Workshop Recording is available here.

August 15, 2024 Workshop Recording is available here.

To learn more about the FAA’s project visit: www.faa.gov/air_traffic/community_engagement/msp 

The MAC’s role  

The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) is not the decision-making authority on flight procedures. The FAA is fully managing and implementing the update to the departure flight procedures, as the FAA has sole authority over where and how aircraft fly. The MAC is providing input to the FAA on procedure design, including potential for operational or environmental impacts to surrounding communities. The MAC is requesting that the FAA share information with surrounding communities about how updated departure flight procedures may impact them.