News and Updates – FAA Seeks Public Comment on Air Traffic Procedure Change at DCA

WASHINGTON The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is inviting comments until March 30, 2020 on a temporary air traffic procedure change at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) called HOLTB. The HOLTB amended a waypoint by moving it 784 feet southwest in order to move north-flow departing aircraft away from protected airspace while keeping aircraft over the Potomac River.

The FAA implemented the temporary change on January 30, 2020, to enhance national security by reducing the number of incursions from aircraft drifting into the prohibited area.

Based on the initial results of the temporary procedure, the FAA is proposing to permanently implement the amended waypoint for all north-flow departures at DCA.

The FAA is also inviting comments from the public on environmental concerns that should be considered as part of its environmental review for the implementation of the amended waypoint.

Please submit comments by March 30, 2020, using thesubmit comment form. Additional information about the FAAs temporary and proposed change including radar tracks and a noise screen can be found at the following website: https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/community_involvement/dca_p56/