MSP Noise Oversight Committee January Updates

The Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport (MSP) Noise Oversight Committee (NOC) met on January 29, 2020 and discussed information about future airspace navigation (see below), airline policies and procedures, the MSP Annual Fleet Mix and Nighttime Operations Report and were briefed on the Winter Listening Session.  

FAA VOR Minimum Operational Network

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) provided introductory information about future changes to its navigation aid system. The changes are part of a nationwide effort initiated and conducted by the FAA to gradually reduce the number of Very High Frequency (VHF) Omnidirectional Range (VOR) systems. When the program is complete, a Minimum Operational Network (MON) will remain as a backup system to new technology. Flight procedures currently using a VOR will be updated to use satellite-based technology. Click here(link is external) to watch a video by the FAA that provides an overview about the agency’s VOR MON program.

There are two VORs near MSP that are affected by this program. One is located at MSP and the other is located at Flying Cloud Airport (FCM) in Eden Prairie. The MSP VOR is located on the north side of the airport near Highway 62 and 28th Avenue South in Minneapolis and is scheduled to be decommissioned by the end of 2022. New satellite-based Area Navigation (RNAV) departure procedures will replicate existing flight procedures that previously relied on VOR technology and will be designed by FAA to mimic departure flight paths used today.

As more information becomes available about the program, the FAA committed to provide regular updates and disseminate details through coordination with the MAC, airport users, and the NOC.  FAA representatives also acknowledged the concerns raised in previous RNAV departure efforts at MSP and committed to including public engagement as an important step in understanding the concerns from airport and community stakeholders. Because the FAA is still early in the process of informing stakeholders and gathering information, they may not have answers to all questions immediately; however, questions and concerns are an important piece of the information they are gathering.

More information about the FAA’s VOR MON program is available by clicking here(link is external).

Next NOC Meeting

NOC meetings are open to everyone, and anyone may offer comments at each meeting. The next NOC meeting will be at the Richfield City Hall on March 18, 2020 at 1:30pm.