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 has scheduled two two virtual public workshops to gather community feedback on their project to update MSP departure procedures using Area Navigation (RNAV) technology. The first webinar will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 3 p.m. Central Daylight Time on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, and the second will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Central Daylight Time on Thursday, August 15th, 2024.
Registration for these events is listed below:
Wednesday, August 14 Workshop Registration
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_689CLU3IR2S4RI6q-hAjEQ
Thursday, August 15 Workshop Registration
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ThRyteK-R_-7vkA0ZscGtQ
The FAA has shared that webinar attendees may submit questions via the chat feature and that final details and instructions for joining the webinar will be provided by the FAA in advance of the events. Each webinar will be available for later viewing on this page, or the FAA YouTube channel.
No pre-registration is required to view the event at a later time.
To learn more about the FAA’s project or to register for the workshops, 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 timely information with surrounding communities about how updated departure flight procedures may impact them.
The NOC’s role
The NOC is an advisory board appointed to address aircraft noise issues associated with MSP. The NOC represents the most noise-impacted communities around the airport and aviation industry organizations. The MAC advocated for, and the FAA agreed to add, an initial feedback period for the NOC. This initial feedback is intended to share local expectations related to aircraft overflights, noise and meaningful public engagement with the FAA. At the request of the FAA, the NOC provided initial feedback, which is detailed in the files below. FAA response to this feedback is also provided.
NOC recommendations, Jan. 31, 2024 - FAA response, Mar. 26, 2024
NOC recommendations, Nov. 29, 2023 - FAA response, Jan. 5, 2024
How can residents stay informed?
More information will be provided by the FAA at www.faa.gov/air_traffic/community_engagement/msp.
Additionally, the FAA has stated they will provide periodic updates on this initiative to the NOC. Information regarding NOC meetings and agendas is available at www.metroairports.org/noc.
The FAA is planning to request public comment and host public workshops in Summer 2024 on the proposed departure flight procedures. The public workshops have been scheduled for August 14, 2024 from 1-3PM and August 15, 2024 from 6-8PM.