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. The FAA has stated that the updated departure flight procedures will increase safety due to more efficient communications between pilots and air traffic control. MSP’s Noise Oversight Committee (NOC) will be providing feedback to the FAA this winter, including local expectations related to aircraft overflights, noise, and meaningful public engagement, and the FAA is scheduled to conduct public engagement in Summer 2024. The updated procedures are scheduled to go into effect August 2025.   

To learn more about the FAA’s project and how the FAA will engage the public, 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.