Speaker Biographies

James K. (Jim) Allerdice, Jr.

Managing Partner, ABCx2, LLC

Jim Allerdice began his Air Traffic Control career when he entered the United States Air Force in May 1980. After receiving an Honorable discharge from the US Air Force, Jim began his 31-year FAA career in November 1983. He has worked in all types of Terminal facilities culminating with over 22-years at Atlanta Tower/TRACON. Jim was the Chief Designer of the Area Navigation (RNAV) infrastructure for the Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL). Jim was the Lead Specialist for the Atlanta Class B Airspace redesign. This required organizing public forums for discussion and feedback on the Class B design through contacts with local, state, and federal agencies.

Since retiring from the FAA in November 2014, Jim, and the other founding partners, formed ABCx2, LLC, a consulting firm that is dedicated to providing support for communities impacted by aircraft noise surrounding America’s airports, big and small. Jim has been Managing Partner for ABCx2 since February 2015. ABCx2 provides advocacy for communities with airport staff, the FAA, and the aviation industry to reach collaborative solutions for impacted communities that provide meaningful, measurable, and implementable results

Dispersion in the Age of RNAV

A discussion concerning the use of PBN Procedures to create track variability at two representative airports. (PDF Presentation)

Steve Alterman

President, Cargo Airlines Association

Steve Alterman is the President of the Cargo Airline Association, the nationwide trade organization representing the interests of the United States all-cargo airline industry and related businesses in the aviation supply chain. He also is currently the Chairman of the TSA Aviation Security Advisory Committee (ASAC) and chaired the FAA Management Advisory Council (MAC) from 2017 to 2020. He formerly chaired, and still serves on, the Environment and Energy Subcommittee of the FAA Research, Engineering and Development Advisory Committee (REDAC)

A graduate of Brown University and Boston University Law School, Mr. Alterman began his aviation career with the Civil Aeronautics Board, becoming the Chief of the Legal Division of the Bureau of Enforcement before entering private law practice in 1975. He has been the President of the Cargo Airline Association (or its predecessors) since 1982.

Doubling Down: Implementing Noise Reductions During Recovery

Prior to the COVID-19 crisis, U.S. airlines were transporting a record 2.5 million passengers and 58,000 tons of cargo each day. As travel restrictions and stay-at-home orders were implemented, demand for air travel declined sharply hitting passenger airlines hard, while air cargo operations remained strong with their critical role in combatting COVID-19. Notwithstanding the passenger industry’s long road to recovery, U.S. airlines are maintaining their commitment to reduce noise impacts on local communities. During this session, you will hear from U.S. airline representatives about how COVID-19 has impacted their noise work, highlighting recent accomplishments and near-term goals in reducing noise through fleet makeup and operational improvements. (Panel Discussion, no PDF of PPT).

Susan Averett

Dana Professor of Economics, Lafayette College

Susan L. Averett is the Charles A. Dana Professor of Economics. She holds a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Colorado. She has authored dozens of articles. Her current research focuses on under-represented women working in STEM fields. She is also doing research on the effects of noise and light pollution on infant health. She is the co-author, with Saul D. Hoffman of the textbook “Women and the Economy: Family Work and Pay” and a fourth edition will come out in the winter of 2021. Along with Laura Argys and Saul Hoffman, she is the editor of the Handbook of Women and the Economy published in May 2018 by Oxford University Press. Averett is also an IZA research fellow and is currently a co-editor for the journal Economics and Human Biology.

Residential noise exposure and health: Evidence from aviation noise and birth outcomes

Utilizing information on exact home addresses on birth records, we exploit arguably exogenous variation in noise exposure triggered by a new Federal Aviation Administration policy called NextGen, which unintentionally increased noise levels in communities experiencing concentrated flight patterns. We examine the fetal health impact of exposure to noise levels in excess of the EPA and the WHO recommended threshold of 55 dB. We find that the likelihood of having low birth weight (LBW) babies increases by 1.6 percentage points among mothers who live close to the airport, in the direction of the runway, exposed to noise levels over the 55 dB threshold, and during the period when NextGen was more actively implemented at the airport. Our finding has important policy implications for the trade-off between flight pattern optimization and human health in light of the long-term impact of LBW on later life outcomes. (PDF not publicly available)

Mathias Basner

Professor of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

Mathias Basner, MD, PhD, MSc is a Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. Dr. Basner received his degree in Medicine and his Ph.D. in Research from the University of Bochum, Germany, and his Master of Science in Epidemiology degree from the University of Bielefeld, Germany. Dr. Basner trained at the Institute for Applied Physiology at the University of Bochum and worked as a Research Associate at the German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine from 1999 until 2009, where he headed the Flight Physiology Division in 2008 and 2009. In January 2010, Dr. Basner was recruited to the University of Pennsylvania to assume the position of Assistant Professor of Sleep and Chronobiology in Psychiatry. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 2015.

Dr. Basner's primary research interests concern the effects of traffic noise on sleep and health, the effects of sleep loss on neurobehavioral functions, population studies on sleep time and waking activities, and the effects of long-duration space missions on astronaut behavioral health. Dr. Basner conducted several large scale laboratory and field studies on the effects of traffic noise on sleep since 1999. For this research, Dr. Basner was awarded the Science Award of the German Aerospace Center in 2007 and the Science Award of the German Academy for Aviation and Travel Medicine in 2010.

Dr. Basner is currently President of the International Commission of Biological Effects of Noise (ICBEN). He is advisor to the World Health Organization (WHO) concerning traffic noise effects on sleep, and member of the Impacts and Science Group (ISG) of the Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP) of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Dr. Basner is a member of the Sleep Research Society (SRS), the Aerospace Medical Association (AsMA), and member of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA). He is Associate Editor of the journal Sleep Health and an editorial board member of the journal Frontiers in Physiology. He has reviewed articles for >85 scientific journals.

From Research to Implementation: a perspective after 20 years of public health research

Dr. Basner will reflect on his work as a noise-effects researcher over the past 20 years, including obstacles in the translation from research results to noise policy and regulation. (PDF not publicly available)

Marylin Bastin

Head of Aviation Sustainability, EUROCONTROL

Marylin joined EUROCONTROL as Head of Aviation Sustainability in 2020. She has over 15 years of experience within the air traffic management (ATM) community including the management of multinational projects. Prior to joining EUROCONTROL, Marylin worked at Skeyes, the Belgian Air Navigation Services provider, where she was responsible for Environment and Procedure design. She has co-chaired the EUROCONTROL CCO/CDO task force as well as the Standing Committee on Environment for FABEC (Functional Airspace Block Europe Central). Marylin is a Belgian national and an engineer by training.

The Road to Aviation Recovery – A European Perspective

Marylin Bastin will discuss how COVID-19 has impacted European air traffic, and how the sector is planning for a sustainable recovery. She will analyze aviation’s role in meeting both the European Green Deal target of a 90% reduction in CO2 emissions for the transport sector and the goals of the EU Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy. She will present the operational improvements already made by the EUROCONTROL Network Manager along with the collaboration and optimization initiatives made in partnership with the European Aviation Industry. Finally, she will examine the sector’s Short, Mid and Long term carbon neutrality and zero emissions targets announced during the COVID crisis. (PDF Presentation)

Erin Cooke

Director, Sustainability & Environmental Policy, San Francisco International Airport

Erin currently serves as SFO’s first Sustainability Director, Zero Energy and Resilient Outcomes (ZERO) Committee Chair and Sustainable Aviation Fuel Working Group Co-Chair where she co-creates, implements, and annually reports on the Airport’s Strategic, Sustainability, Zero Waste and Climate Action Plans. By brokering and implementing high-impact emissions reduction investments across campus-wide and facility-specific projects, SFO has cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 41%, operationalized its first zero net energy building, and banned plastic food ware and water bottles. Erin is honored to serve on the Board of Directors of the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI), as the co-chair of the ACI-NA International Working Group and SAF Task Group, and on the ACI World Environment Standing Committee (WeNSC). Erin previously served the City of Cupertino as its first Sustainability Manager and Deputy City Manager, drafting and activating the City’s first Climate Action Plan, including lead roles in the launch of a countywide community choice aggregation program (Silicon Valley Clean Energy), Silicon Valley Collaborative Energy Procurement (SV-REP) and Silicon Valley’s Climate Adaptation & Resilience Plan. Erinwas also a member of climate planning teams at the Conservation Law Foundation, Goddard Institute of Space Studies, and National Park Service. Erin is a LEED AP and holds a MPA in Environmental Science and Policy from Columbia University.

A Case Study: SFO Tackling the Challenges of COVID & Climate

San Francisco International Airport continues to advance its Strategic Plan Goal to become the world’s first net zero energy, net zero carbon and zero waste airport campus as a key tenant of its pandemic and economic recovery to resilience pathway. Join this session to hear about one airport’s case study on varied “zero” initiatives and learn how SFO makes a triple bottom line business case to ensure their investments benefit the airport, workforce and partner operators. Attendees will learn about SFO and industry definitions of “zero” – net energy, net carbon, waste; measures that enhances SFO costs and resources to effectively allow SFO to continue to move forward amidst the pandemic; about the third-party rating systems that legitimize and offer a guide path to “zero”; and engaging campus concession and airline partners. (PDF Presentation)

Lynae Craig

Manager, Air Traffic & Airfield Operations, Alaska Airlines

Lynae Craig is the Manager, Air Traffic and Airfield Operations at Alaska Airlines. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Studies from the University of North Dakota and is a commercial-instrument rated pilot. With over twenty-five years of airport and airline experience, she is recognized for her focus on safety, collaboration and problem-solving. Lynae’s background also includes managing airport noise abatement programs and Performance Based Navigation implementation, balancing NAS efficiency needs with community environmental concerns. In her current role, she works closely with Airports and ATC facilities to ensure safety, efficiency and access across Alaska Airlines‘ network and is a frequent participant on SRM panels related to airfield construction, flight procedures and operational changes. Lynae resides in Seattle, WA with her husband and two daughters.

Doubling Down: Implementing Noise Reductions During Recovery

Michele Cruz-Murner

Senior Strategist for Public and Industry Engagement, ATO, FAA

Michele is the Senior Advisor for Air Traffic Services in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). She serves as the Air Traffic Services Liaison between interagency and aviation stakeholders to manage and coordinate changes that impact air traffic operations as related to air traffic control procedures, airspace design, and aviation safety. Michele began her federal service in 2003 as an Airfield Operations Officer in the United States Air Force. She left active duty in 2011, and joined the FAA Western Service Center, Operations Support Group as a Lockheed Martin NISC contractor. Her work as a contractor consisted of environmental actions and unmanned aircraft systems. In 2014 Michele became a federal employee at the FAA. Since 2014 Michele has served as the subject matter expert for military Special Use Airspace, Airspace Rule-making and Non-Rulemaking actions, and Temporary Flight Restrictions. She is the Air Traffic Services lead on the proactive noise abatement procedures initiative working with multiple lines of business across the country to ensure compliance with published noise abatement procedures in order to help reduce noise concerns for impacted communities.

Michele has a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from the University of Nebraska, Omaha, and a Masters of Business Administration in Aviation from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Section 175, Understanding Dispersion

An examination of the specific language included in Section 175, as well as a description, discussion and understanding of the dispersion of flight paths. (PDF Presentation)

Chris Dorbian

General Engineer, Federal Aviation Administration

Chris is a General Engineer with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the Office of Environment and Energy (AEE). He leads AEE’s research program to identify and accelerate the implementation of operational concepts that will reduce aviation environmental impacts and/or improve energy efficiency. He is also a program engineer on the Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions, and Noise (CLEEN) Program, FAA’s principal environmental effort to accelerate the development of new aircraft and engine technologies and advance sustainable aviation fuels. Since joining the FAA in 2013, Chris has had extensive experience in formulating and managing multidisciplinary research, engineering, and development projects as well as conducting simulations, modeling, and analysis to
address technical problems in aviation. Chris holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University and a Master of Science degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

FAA Aircraft Technology Research for Reduced Fuel, Emissions, and Noise

The FAA is developing certifiable aircraft and engine technologies that reduce noise and emissions while increasing fuel efficiency in partnership with industry through the Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions and Noise (CLEEN) program. Technologies developed by the CLEEN Program will result in an aircraft fleet that generates lower noise, uses less fuel, and produces fewer emissions, thus supporting the overarching environmental performance goal for NextGen to achieve environmental protection that allows sustained aviation growth. This presentation will provide an overview of the FAA CLEEN Program, including past successes and future plans. (PDF Presentation)

Sanford (Sandy) Fidell

President, Fidell Associates Inc.

Sandy Fidell, a Fellow and Associate Editor of the Acoustical Acoustical Society of America, is a researcher who has studied transportation noise effects on individuals and communities since the 1960s. He has worked both for and against transportation infrastructure projects for airport, road, rail, and marine, civil and military applications; participated in much environmental litigation; and published extensively in both archival, peer-viewed and popular journals. He has been active in international acoustic standardization efforts; developed a systematic approach to accounting for non-acoustic influences on annoyance judgments; and co-written an extended analysis of U.S. aircraft noise policy.

Session Presenter:

Aviation Noise Officer Meeting
Community Group Meeting

(PDF Presentation)

Daniel Gardon

Noise Abatement Specialist, Charlotte Douglas International Airport

Dan Gardon is a Noise Abatement Specialist at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, where he has served his community for the last 3 years. As part of his duties, Dan manages the Airport Community Roundtable, which recently put forth a list of recommended procedures in the Charlotte airspace. Prior to working at CLT, Dan was an Airport Noise Specialist at Teterboro Airport for 2 years, where pre-ANCA regulations and airspace concentration have led to a unique noise abatement environment. Dan also has several years of experience in Airside Operations, which offer a different perspective to noise abatement procedures.

Aircraft Noise and Overflight Dispersion: Opportunities and Challenges – Dispersion at Charlotte Douglas International Airport

Charlotte Douglas is unique in that the Airport has pushed for disperse flight tracks for nearly 40 years. This case study details the challenges and benefits associated with implementing aircraft dispersion patterns at an Airport, and shows that dispersion is not a ‘silver bullet’ for noise concerns in a region. (PDF Presentation)

Alex Gertsen

Director, Airports and Ground Infrastructure, National Business Aviation Association (NBAA)

Alex Gertsen serves as the authority on airport matters for the association. His portfolio covers initiatives such as aviation noise and community engagement, airport advocacy, access to airports, as well as runway and surface safety.

Mr. Gertsen has over 20 years’ experience in the aviation industry. He is a commercial pilot and aircraft owner, and routinely relies on his Mooney for business air transportation.

Session: How will Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Benefit Communities?

This session will explore the integration of advanced air mobility into communities by considering the role of smaller regional and GA airports in these communities. This role will include various aspects of electric aviation, including IFR and VFR flight services, charging infrastructure, and maintenance. However, this role can be expanded to provide broader services to the community, including serving as a charging hub for ground transportation, as a collection site for clean electricity, as a hub for multiple modes of transportation, and as a distribution center for goods and services. With cleaner and quieter operations, and expanded opportunities, small airports can become a significant asset for their community. Speakers will present on advanced air mobility, transportation planning and case studies of GA airports incorporating AAM. (PDF Presentation)

Robbie Gross

Environmental & Atmospheric Scientist, Crawford, Murphy & Tilly

Robbie provides airport clients with expertise and services related to air quality analyses, environmental management tool development, and funding sources for environmental impact mitigation. One assignment, in which he developed a computer-based decision-making tool, resulted in aid for users of the FAA’s Airport Air Quality Assessment Handbook, guidance material used by agencies, airports, and consultants throughout the country.

Robbie stays at the forefront of emerging technologies and is well-versed in the environmental benefits associated with electric passenger cars, buses, and airport ground support equipment, as well as alternative fuels including compressed natural gas, biodiesel, and propane vehicles. His research has contributed to advancements in mesoscale atmospheric modeling, meteorological modeling for air quality, and developing photochemical air quality modeling systems to evaluate regional emission reduction strategies. He has also been involved in developing and applying computer-based tools for estimating air emissions and greenhouse gases from aircraft, ground support equipment, motor vehicles, and construction equipment.

Setting the Framework for Aviation Air Quality Monitoring Studies during the COVID-19 Pandemic

As aviation is just one of many sources of emissions, it can be difficult to determine and validate the impact of aviation on air quality in a community. Many airports are also located near other significant emissions sources including busy roads and highways, as well as industrial sources. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, airports around the world experienced a drastic decrease in aircraft operations, and therefore aviation-related emissions followed suit. As unfortunate as the pandemic has been, it creates a unique opportunity to improve our understanding of aviation’s contribution to air quality. Since there are several types of air pollutants with a range of characteristics and behaviors, the effect of the decreased operations can have a high degree of variability. Moreover, there are many factors involved in determining the fate and transport of emitted pollutants including local meteorology, atmospheric chemistry, and the contribution of other sources which have also been impacted by the pandemic. Nonetheless, there is now an impetus to investigate air quality monitoring data near airports during the pandemic to better understand the impact of aircraft operations on air quality. Speaking from experience, this presentation will discuss a framework by which such studies can be performed, provide recommendations on how to interpret the data and results, and how to best utilize the information. (PDF Presentation)

Jacqueline Hamilton

Senior Council, Office of Congressmember Karen Bass

Jacqueline Hamilton joined the Office of Congressmember Karen Bass seven years ago, just in time to be assigned to attend the first FAA briefing for elected official staff about the planned roll-out of NextGen in the Southern California Metroplex. Aviation noise has been a significant part of her portfolio ever since, both at work and at home, where she lives under the newly-narrowed North Downwind Arrival procedure into LAX. Before joining Team Bass she served 8 years as executive director for an education nonprofit in South Los Angeles. She lead the Los Angeles Environmental Justice Project Office of Environmental Defense Fund for 2 years, and before that spent 7 years with the Natural Resources Defense Council office in Washington, D.C. She holds a BA in theatre from UCLA and a JD from Yale Law School.

Presentation Title: Prospects for Action on Noise in Congress

Implementation of NextGen flight path changes significantly increased the number of citizens reaching out to their federal representatives for noise relief. Does it matter? How does it work? How can you be an effective advocate with your representatives and what might happen on noise-related issues in the 117th Congress? (No PDF available)

Neelakshi Hudda

Research Assistant Professor, Tufts University

Dr. Hudda’s main area of research is urban air pollution with a particular focus on transportation emissions. She has been investigating ambient air pollution, indoor intrusion in various microenvironments, and mitigation strategies for over 12 years.Before entering her current role as faculty at Tufts University in 2017, she worked as a post-doc at USC and Tufts researching the impacts of aviation emissions on ground-level air quality and published the seminal work on the long spatial range of downwind impacts of aviation emission on ultrafine particles.

Preterm birth rates among mothers exposed to ultrafine particles from jet exhaust

We analyzed the records for all births between 2008 and 2016 to mothers residing within 15 km of Los Angeles International Airport and assessed their exposure to ultrafine particles (UFP, particles < 100 nm) originating from jet exhaust. We evaluated whether this exposure was associated with increased rates of preterm birth (PTB) and found that In utero exposure to jet exhaust origin UFPs was positively associated with PTB. We will present the context, methods, and results of this study. The results are of public health concern because UFP exposures affect large, densely-populated residential areas in vicinity of many major airports. (PDF Presentation)

Mike Jeck

Manager, Noise Office, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority

Mike got his start in the noise business in the mid 90’s the same way many most of us did, “other duties as assigned” while working in Airport Operations at airports in NJ and Texas. After his employment at HMMH was cut short by Sept. 11, 2001, he became the Noise officer for Philadelphia International Airport in 2002. During his 6 years at PHL, he oversaw a Part 150 Update and a Residential Sound insulation Program, while also participating in public meetings associated with airport expansion projects, and the New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia Airspace Re-Design project. In 2008, he joined the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) and worked for Neil Phillips, who some of you may have heard of! When Neil retired in 2013, Mike became the manager of the noise office. He is excited to share his experience with noise issues both pre and post Covid.

Aviation Noise Officer Meeting Panelist

This year’s Aviation Noise & Emissions Officer Meeting provides a unique opportunity for symposium attendees to review the COVID recovery and planning actions to address new community concerns. Vince Mestre will start with a brief overview of his book “A Guide to U.S. Aircraft Noise Regulatory Policy” and Mike McKee will follow by sharing the Denver Noise Program and Recent Challenges. Finally, a panel discussion between Mike Jeck, MWAA, Sjohnna Knack, San Diego, Xiaobo Liu, PANYNJ and Sandy Lancaster, DFW will review how COVID impacted their airport operations and how the community responded as well as any planning efforts for community engagement with public as operations return. We anticipate an informative exchange about past and future aircraft noise regulatory policy. (No PDF available)

Tim Johnson

Director, Aviation Environment Federation

Tim is the Director of the UK-based Aviation Environment Federation (AEF), an NGO dedicated to tackling aviation’s environmental impacts on behalf of impacted community groups. He is a lead representative for the environmental NGOs at the UN’s International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) where he co-led the Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection’s (CAEP) task group to develop the “offset eligibility criteria” for use in the global market-based measure CORSIA. He is a member of the Department for Transport’s newly created Jet Zero Council, and its Airspace Strategy Board and Noise and Airspace Engagement Group. He is also an advisory board member of the UK Sustainable Aviation initiative and ACI’s Airport Carbon Accreditation scheme.

Civil Society Expectations for a Green Recovery

With the hope that 2019 will be seen as the peak year for aviation emissions, Tim Johnson will lay out the expected path for a green recovery within the aviation industry. The Industry and ICAO should embrace a net zero by 2050 target as that pathway would be consistent with the Paris Agreement and place a growing emphasis on tackling non-CO2 climate impacts as well. Tim will provide a review on how industry currently ‘owns’ the debate, and has led the setting of current targets and voluntary commitments. Tim will emphasize that the ICAO and the states need to set targets to create accountability for delivery of emissions reductions, and thus consumers and investors could have greater leverage over airline behavior. Tune in to the presentation to learn about these issues as well as how carbon pricing will be needed to support SAF uptake and innovation within the industry. (PDF Presentation)

Peter J. Kirsch

Partner, Kaplan Kirsch & Rockwell

Peter J. Kirsch is a partner with the law firm of Kaplan Kirsch & Rockwell, with offices in Washington, DC. and Denver, Colorado. For more than 30 years, Mr. Kirsch has concentrated his practice on airport development and regulatory issues. He regularly advises airports and local governments on land use law, federal legislation and regulations, and airport financial issues. He has represented clients in precedent-setting litigation relating to the powers of airport proprietors, control of airport noise, and preventing encroachment of incompatible land uses. He has been involved in dozens of airport expansions, redevelopment projects, airport collateral land projects and airport lease negotiations. He has represented clients on preparation of Part 150 and Part 161 studies, in defense of litigation over noise impacts, and in the design of noise abatement

Aircraft Noise and Emissions Legislation in the Next Congress: Priorities, Perspectives, and Predictions

This presentation will discuss the prospects for noise- and emissions-related legislation in the 118th Congress and the implications of the new administration on federal law concerning aircraft noise. (PDF Presentation)

Sjohnna Knack

Program Manager, Planning & Environmental Affairs, San Diego International Airport

Sjohnna Knack is the Program Manager with the Planning & Environmental Affairs Department at the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority. She oversees all aspects of aircraft noise related to the San Diego International Airport aircraft operations. Ms. Knack is responsible for oversight of one of the largest remaining residential sound attenuation programs, the Quieter Home and Quieter Non-Residential Programs. She provides technical support for the Airport Noise Advisory Committee and Curfew Violation Review Panel. She ensures adherence to many regulatory requirements including State of California Title 21 requirements. She manages a team of staff who conduct analysis with the Airport’s noise and operations monitoring system. Ms. Knack works closely with industry stakeholders including the FAA, air carrier operators, elected officials and other interested community members.

Ms. Knack has a bachelor’s degree in Aviation Management from St. Cloud State University. She is currently the Noise Working Group Chair for ACI-NA’s Environmental Committee.

Aviation Noise Officer Meeting Panelist

Sandy Lancaster

Environmental Program Manager, DFW Environmental Affairs

Sandy Lancaster has over 30 years’ experience in airport management with strong focus on the disciplines of aviation noise, compatible land use planning, noise mitigation, community education for noise/airspace issues as well as NEPA environmental planning. In her career, she has also gained significant experience in operations, environmental compliance and airport master planning.

Sandy is responsible for NEPA Environmental Planning at DFW International Airport. NEPA documents and FAA approval coordination are developed in house, under Sandy’s leadership, resulting in a cost-avoidance of an estimated $1M annually. FAA uses DFW NEPA documents as a national standard for other airports.

Sandy Lancaster currently serves as the Environmental Program Manager for the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. She previously worked as the Mitigation Program Manager for DFW Airport, as an environmental manager at Memphis International Airport and as an airport consultant assisting airports large and small with noise, NEPA and airport planning needs.

Sandy holds a Master’s Degree in Industrial Technology, a Bachelor’s in Aviation Technology and an Associates in Aviation Flight Technology from the University of Central Missouri and is a licensed pilot.

Aviation Noise Officer Meeting Panelist

Mike McKee

Airport Noise Abatement Manager, Denver International Airport

Aviation Noise Officer Meeting Panelist

Vincent (Vince) Mestre

Associate Vice President, Landrum & Brown

Mr. Mestre has over forty years of experience in airport noise control and acoustical engineering. He is semi-retired. Included in this experience are project management, program analysis, client coordination, and extensive computer modeling of environmental impacts for use in noise and acoustical analyses. He founded his own firm in 1978 as a professional engineering firm specializing in acoustic and noise control.

He is past Chairman of the Society of Automotive Engineers A-21 Subcommittee that develops best practice guidance documents for the measurement of noise and noise and emissions modeling. Mr. Mestre received his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of California, Irvine and his Master of Science degree in Engineering at the same University. His professional affiliations include membership in the Institute of Noise Control Engineers, the Society of Automotive Engineers, and the Acoustical Society of America. Mr. Mestre is a Registered Mechanical Engineer in the state of California and has published 12 peer reviewed journal articles. Mr. Mestre is the author the ACRP synthesis on the effect of noise and two ACRP projects on helicopter noise. He and Sandy Fidell just published a book on the history of aviation noise policy in the US.

Session Presenter:

Aviation Noise Officer Meeting
Community Group Meeting (PDF Presentation)

Timothy P. Middleton

HMMH

Timothy Middleton has over thirteen years of airport management, noise abatement, and environmental compliance experience. With a background in Political Science and Public Policy, Tim leverages his technical knowledge and public outreach expertise to effectively communicate to a wide range of clients, including members of the public, airport managers, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and state and local officials. His core competencies include operating Airport Noise and Operations Monitoring Systems, responding to airport noise complaints, writing technical reports for senior airport staff, training airport staff on noise abatement best practices and procedures, and presenting complex technical information in an approachable manner.

At Teterboro Airport, he was the originator of an airport specific training module aimed to reduce the number of airfield Vehicular Pedestrian Deviation (VPDs) for the 14 CFR Part 139 Driver Training Program. He also led an initiative with the Airport Operations Department to create and implement an internal accident and incident review form. Additionally, as a Certified Member (C.M) of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), Tim is trained and skilled in working within the complex regulatory environment of airports.

Tim also has also worked to support airport environmental and sustainability efforts, including oversight and development of storm water management programs, airport tenant and airfield construction inspections, adoption of recycling programs, and working to advance renewable energy by progressing the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel.

Tim is a thought leader at HMMH in supporting work with clients in understanding and fostering community acceptance of the new Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) entrants that include electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

Session: Facilitating Community Acceptance of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM)

Tim Pohle

Senior Managing Director, Environmental Affairs, Airlines for America

Tim is the Senior Managing Director U.S. Environmental Affairs for Airlines for America. An attorney with over 25 years of experience in aviation and environmental law, at A4A Tim manages the activities of the Environment Council, which directs airline policy on and involvement in domestic environmental issues of national significance, including water quality, air quality, aircraft noise and climate change.

Tim also represents A4A carriers as part of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) delegation to the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection. In this role, Tim serves as a principal leader of airline advocacy as ICAO/CAEP develops emissions standards for aircraft and aircraft engines, including the first CO2 standard for aircraft and Particulate Matter standard for aircraft engines.

Before joining A4A in September 2005, Tim was in private law practice focusing on environmental and aviation law. Tim represented airlines, airports and surrounding communities regarding safety, security, environmental and local land use matters before federal, state and local agencies and courts. Tim graduated from Yale University in 1986 and from the University of Michigan Law School in 1991.

Recovering from the COVID Pandemic – The Airline Perspective

COVID-19 has intensified focus on climate and sustainability issues: the expectation is that after recovery businesses will be more sustainable. This is true for airlines. Airlines’ strong commitment to environmental stewardship and responsibility predates the COVID crisis, as reflected in airlines’ very strong existing environmental goals. Despite the devastating economic impact of COVID-19, airlines look to a future where they will continue to invest in and contribute to progress. Moving forward, airlines will continue to focus on the pillars that have allowed them to make great progress already: infrastructure, operations, and technology, including Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Meeting ambitious climate and sustainability goals will require cooperation across all stakeholders. Ramping up SAF production as quickly as possible is going to be critical to meeting these goals. A vibrant, healthy aviation industry that continues to provide tremendous economic and social benefits will be essential to achieving sustainability in the future. (PDF Presentation)

Danielle Rinsler

Head of Aviation Policy, Uber Technologies

Danielle J. Rinsler, AICP, most recently served as Head of Aviation Policy at Uber Technologies where she led global aviation policy efforts for Uber Elevate, working to advance planning and policy related to urban air mobility. Danielle has more than 20 years of aviation industry experience, including senior leadership roles in the US Department of Transportation Office of the Under Secretary for Transportation Policy, Federal Aviation Administration and the airport industry. She specializes in airport planning, environmental planning, transportation policy and infrastructure finance. She holds a Master of Regional Planning with specializations in economic development and transportation planning from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Bachelor of Science from Cornell University, and is certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners.

Session: How will Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) benefit communities?

(PDF Presentation)

Rich Swayze

Director, Government Policy, Delta Airlines

Rich Swayze most recently served as the Assistant Administrator for Policy, International Affairs, and Environment at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Prior to the FAA, Rich was the Senior Professional Staff Member for the Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security Subcommittee of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, where he handled aviation issues related to the FAA, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Before joining the Senate, Rich worked for the Government Accountability Office (GAO) leading transportation research projects.

Session: Doubling Down: Implementing Noise Reductions During Recovery

Christiane Voigt

Head of Department, German Aerospace Center, Institute of Atmospheric Physics

Christiane Voigt she leads the department of cloud physics at the German Aerospace Center DLR and is Professor of Atmospheric Physics at the University Mainz, Germany. After her Ph.D. in physics at the University of Heidelberg and research stages at the ETH in Zurich, Switzerland, and the NOAA in Boulder, Colorado, she joined the DLR in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany. She has authored and co-authored more than 100 publications including articles in science and nature.

Her research focuses on the aviation impact on atmospheric composition and climate. She coordinates emission and contrail measurements on research aircraft in international cooperations with partners (i.e. NASA, NOAA, NRC, EU) and combines the airborne experiments with modeling to investigate the potential of current and future technologies for sustainable aviation.

Reducing emissions, contrails and climate impact from aviation – Highlights from recent aircraft campaigns

New studies suggest that contrail cirrus contribute the largest share to the climate impact form aviation. Large uncertainties remain, caused in part by unknown microphysical properties of those contrail cirrus. Here, I will present results from recent international aircraft campaigns with partners from NASA, NRC, and DLR, which directly probed engine emissions and contrail formation at cruise altitudes. I will discuss their climate impact and address mitigation strategies to significantly reduce the climate impact of future aviation by novel fuels. (PDF Presentation)

Beth White

Senior Strategist for Public and Industry Engagement, FAA

Beth White is currently Senior Strategist for Industry and Public Engagement for the FAA Air Traffic Organization. She is responsible for the coordination of a matrixed team that is developing standards for engagement efforts with aviation stakeholders as well as communication efforts with local communities.

Prior to her move to the Air Traffic Organization White was the Senior Advisor of Communications for the FAA. She was responsible for the creation, development and implementation of a strategic communications campaign to educate and promote the modernization of the national airspace system. The initiative – known as NextGen – is a $42 billion dollar investment in aviation infrastructure.

Section 175, Understanding Dispersion

An examination of the specific language included in Section 175, as well as a description, discussion and understanding of the dispersion of flight paths. (PDF Presentation)

Yolanka Wulff

Co-Executive Director, Community Air Mobility Initiative (CAMI)

Yolanka is a business attorney and consultant with over two decades of experience in the successful development, implementation and management of mission-driven programs. Prior to joining Community Air Mobility Initiative as Co-Executive Director, Yolanka has been a sustainable aviation consultant for ten years, working with industry, government, academia and nonprofits on policy, standards and regulations, industry development, market challenges, communications and media relations. She has experience in sustainable transportation and land use. Yolanka also serves as Executive Director of CAFE Foundation where she organizes the annual Electric Aircraft Symposium.

Session: How will Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Benefit Communities?

Darlene Yaplee

Aviation-Impacted Communities Alliance (AICA) and Palo Alto Citizens

Darlene Yaplee is a founding member of the Aviation-Impacted Communities Alliance. AICA is a small, focused group of community advocates around the U.S. working to create position papers and briefings on legislative issues and priorities for aviation-impacted communities. She is active with Palo Alto Citizens, working to mitigate the negative noise and emissions impacts of aviation in the San Francisco Bay Area / NorCal Metroplex. Darlene brings 30+ years of experience as a marketing executive at Fortune 500, high-technology companies where she worked on strategic alliances, international marketing, and new market development. She was the Chief Marketing Officer at PLOS, a nonprofit Open Access Science publisher and advocacy organization where she promoted the understanding and adoption of Open Access with organizations such as Google, the Wellcome Trust, and Research Universities. Darlene has been a guest lecturer at Stanford Graduate School of Business and Santa Clara University. She was the University of California, Davis Alumni Commencement speaker in 1999.

Aircraft Noise and Emissions Legislation in the Next Congress: Priorities, Perspectives, and Predictions

This presentation will discuss national legislative priorities and predictions, based on the speaker’s experience and perspectives from other members of aviation-impacted communities. (PDF Presentation)