FAA Planning & Environmental Review Workshop Agenda

8:30–8:45 a.m. | Welcome & Opening Remarks

• T.J. Schulz, President, Airport Consultants Council
• Mark Heckroth, CHA Consulting, Inc., Vice Chair, ACC Planning & Environmental Committee

8:45 – 9:00 a.m. | Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Keynote: Where are We Today?

An overview of FAA priorities, emerging issues, and what FAA hopes industry gains from today’s discussion.

• Mike Hines, Manager, Planning and Environmental Division, FAA Office of Airport Planning and Programming

9:00 – 10:00 a.m. | FAA Review Lab: Training Products in Action: Interactive Demonstration

FAA demonstrates available training products and guidance using audience polling and interactive discussion.

Discussion Topics:

• FAA training resources, including upcoming training and tools
• Practical applications
• Resources consultants can begin using immediately and a preview of upcoming tools

10:00 – 10:15 a.m. | Networking Break

10:15 – 11:00 a.m. | Order 1050.1G: What’s New and Why It Matters

An expanded discussion of key updates and their practical implications for planning and environmental consultants.

Discussion Focus:

• What has changed
• Common misconceptions
• Practical implications for consultant
• Questions and discussion on implementation and application

11:00 – 11:30 a.m. | Planning Sufficiency & NEPA Readiness: What FAA Reviewers Look For

Discussion Topics:

• What makes a project truly “NEPA ready”
• Common document deficiencies
• Early coordination that improves review efficiency
• Building a stronger Purpose and Need
• Setting realistic expectations for project readiness

11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. | Document Diagnostic: Building a Better QA/QC Process

Interactive Table Exercise

Participants work in small groups using a sample Environmental Assessment section containing realistic deficiencies, including examples that illustrate planning and environmental documentation issues.

Following the exercise, FAA reviewers provide candid observations.

Each table will:

• Identify QA/QC issues
• Discuss root causes
• Improve selected language
• Compare approaches

Topics include:

• What stands out immediately during review
• Indicators of strong internal QA/QC
• Practical suggestions for improving document quality

12:45 – 1:30 p.m. | Networking Lunch

1:30 – 2:00 p.m. | How Leading Firms Build Quality into Every Project

Three ACC member firms share practical approaches that have proven successful, with approximately 10 minutes per firm.

Discussion Topics:

• Internal QA/QC systems
• Peer review models
• Document ownership
• Version control
• Lessons learned
• Avoiding common pitfalls

2:00 – 2:20 p.m. | FAA Responds and Reflects

FAA reviewers reflect on the morning Document Diagnostic and the consultant best practices shared during the member session.

Discussion Topics:

• What impressed us
• Common issues that continue to affect document quality
• Suggestions for improving consultant submissions
• Resources available to help firms improve

2:20 – 2:35 p.m. | Networking Break

2:35 – 3:30 p.m. | Working with FAA Regions: Communication Best Practices

FAA Regional representatives and ACC members discuss successful collaboration throughout the project lifecycle.

Discussion Topics:

• Knowing who to contact
• Early coordination strategies
• Managing expectations
• Escalating issues appropriately
• Lessons learned across FAA Regions

3:30 – 4:00 p.m. | Ask FAA Anything

Attendees will have the opportunity to submit questions in advance of the workshop and throughout the morning. The highest ranked questions will be addressed during an open discussion with FAA leadership, creating an opportunity for candid dialogue on the issues that matter most to consultants and airport sponsors.

4:00 – 4:20 p.m. | Building the ACC QA/QC Toolkit

Facilitated discussion identifying practical resources ACC can develop following the workshop.

Potential deliverables include:

• Planning sufficiency checklist
• QA/QC checklist
• FAA coordination checklist
• Purpose and Need planning guide
• Sample internal review templates
• Additional training topics for future workshops

4:20 – 4:30 p.m. | Closing Remarks & Next Steps