Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Gap Oceanic topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Panelists urge renewed compliance checks for oceanic arrivals and 'gap' departures after Woodside altitude concerns
Summary
The subcommittee heard that Woodside crossing restrictions (8,000 ft) and the 6‑DME gate for gap/Santana departures are ATC‑controlled, compliance reporting has lapsed, and the group recommended targeted compliance requests and separating day/night analyses to evaluate early turns and altitude violations.
During the June 11 technical working group meeting, airspace experts told members that oceanic arrivals and 'gap' (oceanic) departures are controlled by ATC with specific crossing altitudes and gate requirements, and that compliance monitoring used to be routine but has since lapsed.
Dan explained the operational detail: aircraft are typically stopped at 10,000 ft by center and descended to cross the Woodside fix at or above 8,000 ft; approach then sequences aircraft down to lower altitudes. "It was a congressional request and it expired," Dan said of the earlier weekly compliance reporting, noting the FAA discontinued those mandatory weekly reports and that airports must now request compliance checks from the controlling facility.
Why it matters: community members and municipal representatives reported sightings of aircraft below expected altitudes during gap departures, which can materially increase perceived noise and raise local safety concerns given nearby terrain. Remy Tan of Pacifica said he observed heavier aircraft at 2,500–3,000 ft over local hills and requested work with FAA and airlines to ensure adequate altitude for large, heavy aircraft.
The working group recommended staff request targeted compliance runs from the controlling facilities (approach/center) to measure whether departures and arrivals are meeting gate/altitude requirements, and to separate day and night analysis because night rules differ (e.g., lateral routing west of the peninsula and Golden Gate requirements for northbound departures at night).
No formal regulatory action was taken at the meeting; staff were tasked with follow‑up data requests and clarifying questions for ATC.
