FAA says no political interference in Trump arch review — The Hill

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Bryan Bedford said in Washington that the aviation safety review of the triumphal arch proposed by President Donald Trump was conducted without political interference. As The Hill reports, the FAA applied its standard aeronautical obstruction evaluation procedure to the project and did not give it special review treatment.

Lighting recommendations

An FAA spokesperson told the outlet that a nonstandard eternal flame is planned for the top of the arch, and floodlights directed at the structure are to be installed so pilots can see it. The agency also informed the U.S. National Park Service about the study and the lighting recommendations.

According to the recommendations, the flame must provide an average illuminance of at least 15 foot-candles, or 161.46 lux, on the upper third of the structure. FAA rules require lighting for structures taller than 200 feet in Washington, although an aeronautical study may determine that marking or lighting is not necessary for flight safety.

Conclusion of the aeronautical study

The FAA released the project’s hazard study and concluded that the 250-foot arch would not pose a hazard to aircraft. During the assessment, the agency analyzed air traffic patterns near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

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The proposed arch is planned to be placed on Arlington Memorial Bridge, which connects Washington with Arlington, Virginia. By comparison, the 555-foot Washington Monument has red obstruction lights near its top.

Congressman’s reaction

Democratic Virginia Congressman Don Beyer criticized the president’s statement that the arch would have a “high-end military complex” with drones, snipers and substantial stocks of sniper ammunition. In a statement, Beyer, whose district includes Arlington and Arlington National Cemetery, called the project illegal and disrespectful.

If construction is completed, the structure could become the tallest triumphal arch in the world, according to the outlet: it would be 30 feet taller than the Monumento de la Revolución in Mexico City, which The Hill calls the tallest arch in the world.