Interim Fly Quiet
9. Q: Are the Test 2 and Test 3 configurations compliant with the 1997 Fly Quiet Program?
10. Q: Are the new configurations land compatible as defined in the 1997 Fly Quiet Program?
12. Q: How large an aircraft would air traffic feel comfortable departing off 4L?
13. Q: Was any of this new program modeled or studied in the 2005 Record of decision "ROD"?
14. Q: Would a new environmental impact study "EIS" need to be done?
1. Q: Does the FAA require a test without 15/33 in order to perform the environmental analysis of an interim Fly Quiet to run from 2018-2020?
FAA Response: A test is not required to complete an environmental analysis of a potential interim condition between the closure of Runway 15/33 and the commissioning of Runway 9C/27C. A test, however, could inform decisions on how to operate the potential interim condition, and could provide additional public input.
2. Q: Would failure to pass Test 3 preclude CDA and the ONCC from recommending an interim Fly Quiet to run from 2018-2020?
FAA Response: The City of Chicago Department of Aviation, as owner and operator of Chicago O'Hare International Airport could propose a potential interim condition without ONCC approval of a Test 3. The City of Chicago and ONCC could provide additional input on their decision making process for a Test 3 and an interim condition. See also the response to Question 1 above.
3. Q: Would operating 15/33 in a test rotation that ran until its scheduled decommissioning inhibit the FAA in performing the environmental analysis of an interim Fly Quiet to run from 2018-2020?
FAA Response: Tests are limited to six months. If any information from a test would be used to inform an environmental analysis of a potential interim condition, and any approval would occur just before the beginning of an interim condition, the test would need to be complete approximately five to six months prior to the beginning of the interim condition.
4. Q: Would the elimination of 15/33 during FQ2 in Test 3 impair ATC from utilizing this runway during the FQ shoulder hours?
FAA Response: Runway 15/33 could be used in shoulder hours outside of a potential Test 3.
5. Q: Has ATC confirmed that in Configuration L, 33 can be utilized for longer runway requests when 4L is the primary departure runway?
FAA Response: The FAA will use a longer runway provided by the City of Chicago for aircraft that cannot depart Runway 4L. Runways 10L/28R and 10C/28C are requested for availability in the FAA's February 6, 2017 comment letter to the City on Test 1.
6. Q: Is the FAA aware that Park Ridge will be getting overnight impacts at least every other week at night once Test 3 Begins?
FAA Response: Yes. Park Ridge could be impacted by multiple types of operations during Test 3 including 9R departures, 10L departures, 27L arrivals, 4L departures, and 22R arrivals.
7. Q: Is the FAA aware that Park Ridge Homes impacted by new configurations have not been sound insulated because they fall outside the 2005 modeled noise contours that allow for noise mitigation?
FAA Response: Fly Quiet Test 3 is of a short duration and creates temporary or interim conditions. The FAA does not provide sound insulation funding for interim conditions. Currently, FAA Airport Improvement Program (AIP) discretionary noise grants are issued to the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) for the Build Out 65 DNL noise contour. Hundreds of Park Ridge homes are part of this program, which is the mitigation required by the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the approved EIS Alternative.
If the City decides to proceed with a proposal to implement configurations like Test 3 or others for the currently proposed interim period (after Runway 15/33 is decommissioned and before Runway 9C/27C is commissioned), an additional interim period beyond the commissioning of Runway 9C/27C, or a permanent timeframe, a NEPA analysis commensurate with the proposal, will be completed for each respective period.
8. Q: If this plan is approved, is the FAA going to provide Park Ridge a grant to insulate the homes impacted in these configurations?
FAA Response: See the response to question 7, above.
9. Q: Are the Test 2 and Test 3 configurations compliant with the 1997 Fly Quiet Program?
FAA Response: Some of the runways in all of the tests are included in CDA’s Fly Quiet Program and some of them are not.
10. Q: Are the new configurations land compatible as defined in the 1997 Fly Quiet Program?
FAA Response: The 1997 Fly Quiet Program does not define land use compatibility. For noise purposes, CFR Part 150 provides the definitions for FAA for land use compatibility.
11. Q: Does Departures on diagonal Runway 4L raise safety concerns for the departing of heavy wide body aircraft?
FAA Response: CDA states in their June 14, 2017 request for a 12 week Runway Rotation Program Test 3 that "Runways 4L, 9R, and 22L have less than 9,600 ft. available for departure and are being utilized in configurations to disperse noise more equitably in the area. Airline requests for runway 10L/28R will be accommodated with two-hour or greater advance notice to CDA Operations, unless the runway is closed. Permission will be given for less than two-hour notice, for weeks that diagonal runways are designated. If runway 10L/28R is closed, runway 10C/28C will be made available."
12. Q: How large an aircraft would air traffic feel comfortable departing off 4L?
FAA Response: Each airline has its own operating requirements. The pilot, based on airline policy and requirements, make the determination whether an aircraft is able to use an assigned runway. Requests for a longer runway will be accommodated by CDA as described in question 11, above. Air Traffic will operate using the runways the CDA provides for use.
13. Q: Was any of this new program modeled or studied in the 2005 Record of decision "ROD"?
FAA Response: Configurations proposed in all of the Tests were recently proposed by CDA. Some of the runways are included in the Fly Quiet Program and some of them are not.
14. Q: Would a new environmental impact study "EIS" need to be done?
FAA Response: Test 3 was reviewed and approved by the FAA. You can review the approval at this link: http://www.airportprojects.net/flyquiettest/about/
If the City decides to proceed with a proposal to implement configurations like Test 3 or others for the currently proposed interim period (after Runway 15/33 is decommissioned and before Runway 9C/27C is commissioned), an additional interim period beyond the commissioning of Runway 9C/27C, or a permanent timeframe, a NEPA analysis commensurate with the proposal, will be completed for each respective period.