Burnsville to Host Neighborhood Meeting on Flight Pattern Changes

Residents of Burnsville will have the opportunity to learn about recent flight pattern changes during a

neighborhood meeting Oct. 12.

The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will be on hand to discuss changing runway trends and their impacts.

What: Burnsville Aircraft Noise Neighborhood Meeting
When: Wednesday, Oct. 12 | 7 – 8:30 p.m.
Where: Burnsville City Council Chambers | 100 Civic Center Parkway

These changes are part of new airport runway safety rules implemented in late 2015, as well as a
continuing effort by the MAC and FAA to determine the safest use of runways at Minneapolis-St. Paul
International Airport (MSP), according to a news release.

During a presentation beginning at 7 p.m., officials will explain these new rules, the resulting flight
pattern changes over Burnsville and the steps being taken to address community impacts. Following a
prepared presentation by the MAC and FAA, residents will have an opportunity to ask questions.

Background

In late 2015, MSP began complying with new FAA rules related to “Converging Runway Operations.” The
new rules are meant to protect flights coming and going from runways that do not physically intersect
on the ground – but could intersect within one mile of the runway’s end.

Following the new guidelines, the FAA adjusted take-offs and arrivals for several runways at MSP. While
these adjustments provide the required separation, some runways are now seeing more traffic than
before – with others seeing less.

Further adjustments are still in process, and a final solution has not yet been determined as the FAA continues to explore ways to maintain aircraft safety and efficiency.

Image via redlegsfan21, Flickr, used under Creative Commons