Why you’ll see and hear more military jets in the West Seattle sky

(Boeing photo: KC-46A’s first flight, September 2015)
You can expect more military jets in the nearby skies soon. Boeing Field says two Navy F-18 aircraft will be based there for about nine months, starting this month, while Boeing is testing its new wide-body KC-46A tanker jet. From the Boeing Field website:

During the tests, the new tankers will refuel several models of military “receiver” aircraft during flights over western Washington. In addition to several of its KC-46A tanker jets, Boeing plans to base two Navy F-18 aircraft at Boeing Field during this time. Plans call for two F-18 takeoffs and landings per day (including evenings), a few times per week.

While the advisory on the airport website says, “Boeing is working to minimize the noise impact of this testing on the airport’s neighbors. The company will comply with all state, county, and city codes, and with Boeing Quiet Hour procedures as well as King County International Airport’s Fly Quiet Program,” a letter to the community from King County Transportation Department director Harold Taniguchi spins it a little differently. The letter, which appears to have been sent to community groups/advocates in the area (we are checking with KCDOT), was shared by local advocate Joe Szilagyi:

To our Friends and Neighbors around King County International Airport:

King County owns and operates the King County International Airport (KCIA), also known as Boeing Field. Commercial aviation activity at KCIA supports over 16,000 jobs and generates $3.5 billion in annual economic benefit to King County and its residents.

Recently, you may have heard in the news the Boeing Company will soon begin testing the new KC-46A Tanker military aircraft out of KCIA. The KC-46A is capable of refueling other aircraft in mid-air, requiring the testing of additional high-performance military jet aircraft, some of which will be landing and taking off from KCIA. The Boeing Company is still refining details on timing and scope of the test program for the KC-46A. However, they believe testing of support aircraft will commence as soon as January or even later this month.

As testing of the KC-46A Tanker begins, there may be increased noise impacts in the community from high-performance military aircraft related to the KC-46A testing. Although King County will continue to work with Boeing to reduce these impacts, the County has no authority over military aircraft operations. Under federal rules, all military aircraft are exempt from standard operating requirements related to sound and time of day limitations, potentially resulting in a significant increase in aircraft noise in the surrounding communities at any time of day or night.

King County has requested on multiple occasions that Boeing reach out to impacted communities well in advance of the upcoming test program. At the Airport’s November 9 Round Table meeting, Boeing’s outreach contact, Mr. Rich White offered to meet with any interested parties and community groups to discuss the Tanker Program and address potential concerns.

Questions regarding noise or high-performance aircraft related to the Boeing KC-46A Tanker testing program, as well as requests for you or your organization to learn more about the program, should be directed to Rich White (cc’d) at The Boeing Company:

Mr. Rich White
Manager, Local Government Relations
The Boeing Company
P.O. Box 3707, MC 21-76
Seattle, WA 98124
206-856-6305

King County supports the success of the Boeing KC-46A Tanker program, and I believe that Boeing will successfully mitigate impacts from the testing program through a comprehensive community outreach program. I look forward to supporting and working with the community and Boeing on an outreach program that addresses the sensitive needs of impacted residents and businesses as part of this testing program.

Sincerely,

Harold S. Taniguchi, Director
King County Department of Transportation

The Boeing tanker made its first test flight – out of Snohomish County’s Paine Field – in September, according to this Seattle Times report. According to the Everett Herald, Boeing developed this tanker for the U.S. Air Force but also has orders from Japan.

Duano December 4, 2015 (12:01 pm)

Does this mean they will be spilling jet fuel all over us here in West Seattle and western Washington? I’ve seen in flight refuelling before, it can pretty sloppy.

newnative December 4, 2015 (12:22 pm)

When I lived in Tucson, Davis Monthan announced these types of training. Really fun to watch.

Trickycoolj December 4, 2015 (12:38 pm)

No there will not be fuel spilled all over. Flight testing takes place over areas of low-no population.

AvGeek December 4, 2015 (12:47 pm)

Duano, there are automatic shut-off valves for when booms/drogues disconnect from receiver aircraft. Unless they choose to dump the fuel, you won’t be getting rained on.

Tim December 4, 2015 (1:28 pm)

Is there a schedule or something? I’d love to see this some time.

Joan December 4, 2015 (1:40 pm)

I guess we have no choice but to live with the noise! There are already times when it sounds like we are under attack, or having an earthquake!

anonyme December 4, 2015 (2:49 pm)

The noise is bad enough already, and has been getting worse the last few years. This could have a big impact on Arbor Heights residents.

It is not reassuring to know that fuel will only be dumped in pristine natural areas or waterways.

Brian December 4, 2015 (3:07 pm)

If military aircraft are exempt from rules around noise and time of day, then it sees like it would be logical to test military planes at a military air base. There’s two of them in this state.

Mark32 December 4, 2015 (3:10 pm)

Small price to pay for our freedom.

Smitty December 4, 2015 (3:21 pm)

The sound of Freedom!

hazy December 4, 2015 (3:38 pm)

Lol Smitty

YourAdHere December 4, 2015 (3:46 pm)

Region of Boom!

newnative December 4, 2015 (3:48 pm)

If y’all think it’s noisy now, you don’t know what noisy is. just saying

datamuse December 4, 2015 (4:12 pm)

I think YourAdHere just won the thread.
.
I work next to JBLM. Those signs along I-5 warning about low-flying aircraft aren’t kidding…

2 much Whine December 4, 2015 (4:18 pm)

I missed the part in the article where it stated that fuel would be dumped in pristine natural areas and waterways. I did see the part where anonymous people posted speculation that refuelling (sic) could be “sloppy” with nothing to back up their statement. That is all.

cjboffoli December 4, 2015 (4:36 pm)

Very little fuel gets spilled as part of these kinds of military refueling operations and what tiny amount that does tends to evaporate very quickly into the air. So it’s not like vast amounts of jet A-1 avgas (which is basically kerosene) will be raining down into the trees and water. Your frequent exposure to benzene in common gasoline every time you fill up your car’s gas tank is much more harmful to your health.

Fred Johnson December 4, 2015 (4:45 pm)

“….and I believe that Boeing will successfully mitigate impacts from the testing program through a comprehensive community outreach program.”

Any ideas what the program might be? Notifying people that there is going to be more noise in no way actually ‘mitigates’ anything….

SeattleMockingBird December 4, 2015 (5:22 pm)

Former USAF flight crew here, done lots of air refueling and dumped plenty of gas. The latter usually only in emergency situations. Most air refueling tracks and test areas are away from populated areas for good reason as putting two large fast moving objects in close proximity to each other, while a standard activity, does carry a certain amount of risk especially if something non-standard happens. Also, don’t remember the regs but we had min altitude rules for dumping fuel in non-emergency situations because above that altitude the jet fuel evaporates prior to hitting the ground.

wetone December 4, 2015 (6:04 pm)

Quote : Although King County will continue to work with Boeing to reduce these impacts, the County has no authority over military aircraft operations. Under federal rules, all military aircraft are exempt from standard operating requirements related to sound and time of day limitations, potentially resulting in a significant increase in aircraft noise in the surrounding communities at any time of day or night.:

So military has taken over Boeing field ? Some very funny stuff going on…….. Time for window and insulation packages as was done for SeaTac neighborhood. Also brings into question if new 101 story building gets built downtown where will new flight path be ? over WS or Beacon Hill :)

dsa December 4, 2015 (7:58 pm)

I don’t have the F-18 sound takeoff footprints but I doubt WS should be so concerned. Beacon Hill is probably the neighborhood they are thinking about.

A.R. December 4, 2015 (8:44 pm)

I’ve already been noticing a lot more noise from Boeing field this past week and I live in Delridge. Also, there was a large plane flying crazy low over Costco on 4th Ave when I came out of it last night around 7. Good to know what’s happening at least!

dsa December 4, 2015 (9:55 pm)

A.R. the article is written about the future, meaning this has not occurred yet: “You can expect more military jets in the nearby skies soon. Boeing Field says two Navy F-18 aircraft will be based there for about nine months, “

TheKing December 5, 2015 (4:04 am)

@Mark 32 – Thank you for your post. I served USAF 15th CAMS Hickam AFB from ’88-92, this city is full of folks not exactly embracing of the military, I hate to use the phrase, but I put them in the anti-military category since they don’t appreciate to even the smallest degree what they do for our country.

Steven Fortson December 5, 2015 (5:24 pm)

@TheKing
My father was senior enlisted advisor for them until March 89, when he took over Transit. I have a lot of good memories from running around the ramp there.