Exclusive: The FAA is evaluating risks to flights from Trump’s ‘triumphal arch’

Key Points:

• The Trump administration has requested the FAA to conduct an aeronautical study on the proposed 279-foot "triumphal arch" near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, citing potential airspace risks due to its height and proximity to the airport.
• The FAA review, which typically takes 45 to 90 days but can extend up to nine months, has begun, though no timeline has been provided; the arch's location could complicate an already challenging and crowded flight corridor.
• The project requires approval from the Commission of Fine Arts and the National Capital Planning Commission, both of which have been criticized for potentially fast-tracking the arch despite safety concerns.
• The FAA’s Obstruction Evaluation Group will assess various factors including runway length, elevation, and construction equipment height, consulting with multiple defense and security agencies before issuing a "Determination of Hazard" or "No Hazard."
• A White House official stated the arch would not affect flights at Reagan National, but aviation experts and insiders express concern over the project's impact on air traffic safety in a heavily trafficked and accident-prone airspace.