AIRPORT NOISE ADVISORY PANEL (ANAP) 2 ND Quarter, June 18, 2012 6:00 P.M. FINAL MINUTES MEMBERS PRESENT: The Chamber, Reno Sparks Northern Nevada Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada General Aviation Pilots/Users FAA Flight Standards District Office City of Sparks Citizen Washoe County Citizen Washoe County Department of Comprehensive Planning Airport Board of Trustees City of Sparks Citizen City of Sparks Community Development City of Sparks Citizen RENO-TAHOE AIRPORT AUTHORITY STAFF: Interim Vice President of Planning, Engineering and Environmental Management Manager of Airport Noise Program Airport Noise Analyst Program Technician Lisa Ruggerio, Vice Chair Steven Anderson Don Berman Katherine Clark George Graham John Howitt R. Paul Kelly Adam Mayberry Kenneth Pender Jim Rundle Patrick Zielke Mike Scott, A.A.E. Trish Tucker Rick Miller Faith Allen MEMBERS ABSENT: Washoe County Citizen Nevada Air National Guard FAA Airport Traffic Control Division City of Reno Community Development City of Reno Citizen RTIA Airlines Representative Truckee Meadows Regional Planning Agency Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority Fixed Base Operator FAA/Air Traffic Manager Washoe County Citizen Michael Moreno, Chair Capt. Erik Brown David Ellsworth Nathan Gilbert Glenn Graves Capt. Jon Proehl Sienna Reid Brian Rivers Bruce Roberts Karl Scribner Bill Vandenberg VACANT SEATS: Air Cargo Carriers City of Reno Citizen (2) CALL TO ORDER The Airport Noise Advisory Panel (ANAP) met at the Airport Authority Administrative Offices, Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO), Reno, Nevada. Vice Chair Lisa Ruggerio called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Page 1
PUBLIC COMMENT There was no public comment. INTRODUCTION OF NEW ANAP REPRESENTATIVES Ms. Tucker introduced Mike Scott, Interim Vice President of Planning, Engineering & Environmental Management. Mike gave a brief biography of his past experiences. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The Panel approved the minutes from the 1st Quarter meeting of March 19, 2012 with no changes. NEW ANAP MEETING START TIME AND LOCATION At the first quarterly meeting, it was suggested that there be a change to the start time of the ANAP meetings and staff agreed to place it on the June 18, 2012 agenda. After discussion by the Panel, it was moved, seconded and unanimously approved for the meeting start time to change to 5:30 p.m. A discussion then ensued regarding the advantages and disadvantages of changing the location of the ANAP meetings. The Panel agreed to move the September 17, 2012 meeting to the Reno- Tahoe Airport Authority (RTAA) Firehouse located at 1805 Riley Avenue to determine if it would be a feasible location for future ANAP meetings. QUARTERLY REPORTS: Rick Miller, Airport Noise Analyst, presented the quarterly reports to the Panel. SCHEDULED DAILY DEPARTURES The following flight schedule changes have occurred since December (59 non-stop departures): January (54 non-stop departures) Continental Airlines discontinued 1 non-stop to Houston, TX. U.S. Airways Airlines discontinued 1 non-stop to Phoenix, AZ. United Airlines discontinued 1 non-stop to Denver, CO. Southwest Airlines discontinued its service (2) to Boise, ID. February (58 non-stop departures) Continental Airlines resumed 1 non-stop to Houston, TX. Southwest Airlines added 1 non-stop to Denver, CO, 1 non-stop to Phoenix, AZ, and 1 non-stop to Oakland, CA. March (61 daily and 1 weekend only non-stop departures) United Airlines added 1 nonstop to San Francisco, CA. U.S. Airways Airlines resumed 1 non-stop to Phoenix, AZ. Southwest Airlines added 1 non-stop to Las Vegas, NV, and 1 non-stop to Los Angeles, CA. Page 2
The current quarter started as follows: April (60 daily and 1 weekend only non-stop departures) Continental Airlines discontinued its 1 non-stop to Houston, TX. United Airlines discontinued 1 non-stop to San Francisco, CA. Southwest Airlines added 1 non-stop to Portland, OR. May (57 non-stop departures) United Airlines discontinued 1 non-stop to Los Angeles, CA, and 1 non-stop to San Francisco, CA (Saturday only service). Southwest Airlines discontinued its service (2) to San Jose, CA. June Delta Airlines discontinued its 1 non-stop service to Minneapolis, MN. The following seasonal flights are scheduled to return in June: Alaska Airlines is scheduled to add 1 non-stop to Seattle, WA. American Airlines is scheduled to add 1 non-stop to Dallas, TX. Continental Airlines is scheduled to add 1 non-stop to Houston, TX. Delta Airlines is scheduled to add 1 non-stop to Salt Lake City, UT. Southwest Airlines is scheduled to add 1 non-stop to Seattle, WA. United Airlines is scheduled to add 1 nonstop to Denver, CO. On June 4, Alaska Airlines is scheduled to launch service (2) to San Jose, CA. Staff indicated that seasonal fluctuation in the number of flights is a common occurrence. CARGO ACTIVITY, RUNWAY USE & NOISE COMPLAINTS Staff indicated that cargo activity during the 1 st quarter 2012 was slightly down from the 4 th quarter 2011. The runway usage for the 1st quarter 2012 was reported to be in line with the historical average (80% in south flow and 20% in north flow) with the split running at approximately 78% south flow and 20% north flow. The remaining 2% was attributed to east / west runway usage. Mr. Miller presented the noise complaints from the 1st quarter of 2012 (January, February and March). The noise complaints for the 1st quarter 2012 had increased as compared to the 1st quarter of 2011. The total noise complaints for the 1st quarter 2012 numbered 253 with 82 complaints in January, 83 in February and 88 in March. The largest percentage of noise complaints came from the Other area with 205 complaints representing 81.0 percent of the quarterly total. The majority of these complaints (98%) came from one household, located in Sun Valley within one block of one of the RTAA s noise monitor. The Huffaker area had 38 complaints representing 15.0 percent of the quarterly total with all of those complaints coming from one household. Stead had 5 complaints (2.0 percent). Sparks had 3 complaints (1.2 percent). Donner Springs had 1 complaint (0.4 percent). South Hills had 1 complaint (0.4 percent). There were no complaints from the Double Diamond, Mt. Rose Highway, Northeast Reno, Smithridge, Virginia City Highlands and Virginia Foothills areas. The total number of complaints for the 1st quarter 2012 decreased from the 4th quarter 2011 as the runway usage became more normalized. The contributing factors for the number of complaints for the 1st quarter included Chinook aircraft carrying members of the Army Guard who were being deployed, military arrivals and the new SPLTM procedure which was discussed in more detail during Staff Items. In the 1st quarter, 253 complaints came from 11 locations (households). Many times it is not the noise intensity of an event, but the length of the event which causes the number of complaints. Page 3
The average daily passenger airline operations for the 1st quarter were 107. The average daily cargo operations were 12. Of the 253 total noise complaints, 41 percent referred to flights occurring during daytime hours and 59 percent referred to flights occurring during the nighttime hours. Daily airline operations had 89 percent of their operations during the day, while daily cargo operations had 71 percent of their operations during the day. Daytime operations occur between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., while nighttime operations occur between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. In response to a question from the Panel, Mr. Miller explained that the 200 complaints that were received from the Sun Valley area were web based and that the complaints were consistent with flight arrivals. Mr. Miller also explained that staff has personally spoken with the individual on numerous occasions and has invited them to attend an ANAP meeting. The complainant s property lies to the north of the McCarran loop and is outside of the noise contour. It was noted that the noise levels outside of the McCarran loop are significantly lower than those inside the loop. SOUND INSULATION PROGRAM STATUS Trish Tucker, Manager of Airport Noise Program, presented an update to the sound insulation program to the Panel. The 2012 construction season began at the end of May and is moving forward, with anticipated completion in mid November 2012. There are 501 residences that will have construction completed during this season. The general contractor for Phase 19.5 is Advance Installations. Phase 19.5 is scheduled to have construction begin after Hot August Nights, since the hotels included in this phase are located in the vicinity of the event. Alpine Energy is the general contractor for Phase 20.3. This phase, consisting of 288 apartment units, began construction in May and is anticipated to be completed in September 2012. G & G Specialty Contractors is the general contractor for Phases 21.2 and 21.3. Phase 21.2 is scheduled to start construction in early August and Phase 21.3, the Belle Haven Apartment Complex, is schedule to have construction start in mid August or after the Labor Day holiday. The general contractor is still waiting for a delivery date for the Phase 21.3 materials before they can give us a more concrete start date. Looking forward to the future, there is still grant money in Phases 20 and 21. Staff has submitted an application for a grant for Phase 22 which they hope to receive this summer. Staff anticipates having three bid packages for the 2013 construction season. Applications were sent out for the 2013 season in early June. The deadline for the return of applications is July 6, 2012. Staff hopes to have two home packages besides the bid package for the 404 unit Village at Iron Blossom Apartment Complex. Staff explained that the homes eligible for the sound insulation program is based on the noise contour update that was approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 2004. Page 4
AIRPORT AUTHORITY STAFF ITEMS Staff had two items to bring before the Panel. The first item was survey results for Phases 20.2 and 21.1. The survey results were sent out in the Panel s meeting packages. Phase 20.2 consisted of 66 homes in Sparks. There was a 48.5 percent response rate with 97 percent reporting a reduction in aircraft noise. Phase 21.1 consisted of 67 homes in Reno and Washoe County. There was a 44.8 percent response rate with 95 percent reporting a reduction in aircraft noise. The second item staff brought before the Panel was an update regarding the new SPLTM procedure, which turns departing aircraft to the east, south of Interstate 80, when in north flow. The new SPLTM procedure was created using the RNAV satellite based system. The working group primarily responsible for the creation of this procedure had two key airlines onboard during the planning stages, Southwest and US Airways, and both of these air carriers flew the procedure in simulators in order to test it before it was implemented in October 2011. During early conversations, it was understood that the RTAA s role in the implementation of the new departure procedures was that of public outreach. This public outreach resulted in Southwest Airlines and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) presenting at an ANAP meeting and the FAA presenting at an Airport Board meeting. In both cases, the new procedure was discussed in great detail. In addition, the FAA also held two public meetings at a local Reno hotel last year. Shortly thereafter, the Sparks City Council was shown a similar presentation by RTAA staff, utilizing many of the FAA provided PowerPoint slides. In all of these presentations, it was explained that the procedure was designed to have aircraft turn east, south of the Sparks Marina. Unfortunately, since the implementation of the SPLTM procedure, it has become apparent that not all aircraft or onboard equipment have the same capabilities and not all can fly the procedures the same way. Because of this, the new procedure is experiencing some challenges. In May of this year, 161 planes, based on profile, flew the SPLTM procedure. However, only 76 (46 percent) of the aircraft flew the procedure south of the Sparks Marina. US Airways is the only airline that is being fairly consistent in its use of the SPLTM procedure and flying it as advertised. The other air carriers are flying north of Interstate 80 the majority of the time they are using the SPLTM procedure. This is not what was expected and is unacceptable to the RTAA, FAA and the Sparks community. The challenge that is being experienced is due to the type of aircraft being flown and what that aircraft is capable of doing. The RNAV procedures are designed to be flown by the aircraft s Flight Management System (FMS) and not the pilots. For example, US Airways uses the Airbus A-320 and Southwest uses the Boeing 737-700. Both planes are new generation but their capabilities are much different. With the Airbus A-320, the RNAV system is engaged on the ground; however, with the Boeing 737-700 the take off is flown by the pilot. On the Boeing 737-700, the flight management system cannot be engaged until 400 feet above ground level. The procedure was designed with the turn to take place at 500 feet. Therefore, if the crews are not efficient about engaging the FMS between 400 and 500 feet, they are essentially behind the curve in making the turn as required by the SPLTM procedure. Airlines are regulated under Part 121 and have a certificate they must fly under. This certificate references the airline s standard operating procedures (SOP), giving the crews very specific Page 5
guidelines and order on how certain procedures are completed. For instance, Mesa Airlines (operating flights as US Airways) has aircraft equipment capable of flying the new departure procedure; however, the specific operational procedures that the crews must follow on take-off make it difficult to fly the SPLTM successfully. Mesa Airlines has shared that they will be working on changing their internal procedures (order of how things are done) in June. With these changes, Mesa is hoping to better perform the SPLTM departure. In contrast, the American Airlines MD 80 is not capable of flying the departure procedure. Therefore, they will not be performing SPLTM. Ultimately, it is up to the individual airlines to change their procedures to accommodate the implementation of the SPLTM, should they wish to use it. Although changes will not occur overnight, many of the airlines are engaged in actively working to find solutions. One of these solutions, being adopted my many of the airlines, is to heighten pilot awareness by increasing communication about the SPLTM with their flight crews. In fact, Southwest Airlines, one of the primary sponsors of the SPLTM procedure, is working on a number of communication activities to help alert the pilots of this special procedure: an information sheet is given out to the pilot before each flight, the airline is using internal publications to communicate the new procedure and the airline has also released a new training program bulletin. In concert with the airlines efforts, RTAA staff is attempting to give feedback to the airlines as quickly as possible, letting them know how successfully the crews are implementing SPLTM. In most cases this information is provided weekly. When contacted, staff is also communicating with members of the public on what the SPLTM procedure is, why it is being used and what is being done to make it better. Staff is committed to providing updated airline performance numbers at the next ANAP meeting and to sending out monthly performance reports to the Panel members in the interim. Panel members shared that they have received telephone calls from community members who voiced their concerns over the new SPLTM procedure and how they are being impacted. Trustee Mayberry, Airport Board of Trustees liaison, specifically mentioned that The people are beginning to notice the planes because they are flying where they haven t before. The Panel members realize that the new procedures were designed and implemented by the FAA and that RTAA staff, along with the airlines and the FAA are working together in an attempt to resolve the issues. However, they would like to urge the airlines to become more successful at flying the procedure as described by the FAA in the 2011 public outreach meetings. MEMBER ITEMS There were no member items. PUBLIC COMMENT There was no public comment. ADJOURNMENT There being no further questions or business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 7:23 p.m. /fma Page 6