New route charts from the Federal Aviation Administration further restrict helicopter traffic around Reagan National Airport, reducing where the aircraft can fly over Arlington.
The modified charts, published last week, shrink the zones in which helicopters can fly over Northern Virginia and D.C. when operating on authorized business such as medical or law enforcement missions. A portion of the zone in Arlington, which previously extended to Fort Myer in the east, has been pushed back to west of Glebe Road.
This means that many Arlington residents may no longer see helicopters over their homes, while some others in Northern Virginia may see — and hear — even more of the noisy aircraft.
The modifications are the latest in a series of changes that the FAA has made around Reagan National after the fatal midair collision over the airport on Jan. 29. The agency, which did not respond to a request for comment, listed the following additional actions it has taken.
- Established procedures to eliminate helicopter and fixed-wing mixed traffic near the airport
- Permanently closed Route 4 between Hains Point and the Wilson Bridge
- Revised agreements with the military to require ADS-B Out broadcasting
- Discontinued take-offs from the Pentagon until the FAA and Department of Defense updated procedures and fixed technical issues at the Pentagon Heliport
- Eliminated the use of visual separation within 5 miles of the airport
- Published modifications to helicopter zones and routes, moving them farther away from flight paths at the airport
- Increased support, oversight and staffing at DCA
- Collaborated with industry partners and stakeholders
Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) told ARLnow that he supports safety improvements, but emphasized the need to be mindful of noise pollution in Northern Virginia.
“I support changes in helicopter routes that improve safety in [and] around National Airport,” he said. “In my recent meetings with Federal Aviation Administration and Department of Defense leaders, I stressed the need to address the impacts changes could have on noise levels. I’ll continue to work with these agencies to increase safety and reduce noise.”
Given the number of civilian and military flights coming in and out of the D.C. area, noise from both helicopters and airplanes is a longstanding issue in the region.
In recent years, the federal government has responded with initiatives like a noise complaint system for helicopters, new DCA flight paths that more closely follow the Potomac River, and adjustments to helicopters’ routes and altitudes.
The Arlington County Board has weighed in on noise-related issues numerous times in recent years, opposing the addition of more flights at National Airport and submitting feedback on FAA noise policies. The county even has a webpage dedicated to the topic.
“While Arlington County does not have jurisdiction or authority to regulate aircraft operations at DCA, we understand that this has become a quality of life issue for some of our residents,” it says. “The County Board will continue to forcefully advocate for reducing and mitigating the impact of aircraft noise on our community.”
