The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is a direct result from the attacks on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese on December 7, 1941. The US government having seized both Seattle’s Boeing Field and Tacoma’s McChord Field challenged the Civil Aviation Authority and local governments to develop a regional civilian airport. In March, 1942, the Port of Seattle answered and began construction of the Seattle-Tacoma Airport, most commonly referred to as Sea-Tac, completing the initial project in October, 1944. Complete civilian operation would not begin until July 9, 1949, when the terminal building was completed. (HistoryLink)
Located on over 900 acres near Bow Lake bound by 188th Street, Des Moines Memorial Way, 160th …show more content…
These local initiatives, including Sea-Tac’s noise abatement procedures, aircraft engine run up rules and regulations, and the Fly Quiet Incentive Program, where developed through community involvement to attempt to satisfy the local’s needs. Being situated just off the Puget Sound, Sea-Tac’s noise abatement procedures take advantage of geographical conditions shown in the images above by limiting the hours that takeoffs and landings happen over populated areas and utilizes open water routes as much as possible until an acceptable altitude is reached before heading back over land. While certain inspections or maintenance practices require an engines on operational check, Sea-Tac limits the use of maintenance engine run ups to four locations on the airfield, two on the north side and two on the south keeping engines pointed across the airfield and away from adjacent communities. High powered engine runs are permitted, except where express permission is granted otherwise for two minute intervals, from the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. where fines of up to $8,000 can be issued to repeat violators. (Port of Seattle) Established in 2005, the Fly Quiet Incentive Program recognizes three carriers every year that best meets and or exceeds the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport’s noise abatement goals. Criterion includes how often the airline complies with the Noise Abatement Program flight paths pictured above, the overall noise levels produced as monitored by the Port Authority’s 24 permanent noise monitors, and compliance with the engine maintenance and testing