Bill Theobald

Republic Washington Bureau

Editor's note: The story, originally published on April 19, 2016, has been changed to correct an error. Terry Goddard is representing the neighborhood groups that have filed suit against the FAA.

WASHINGTON — Federal aviation officials would be required to review the changes in flight paths out of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport under legislation that passed the U.S. Senate on Tuesday.

Arizona Sens. John McCain and Jeff Flake succeeded in inserting the language requiring the review into a bill authorizing funding of the Federal Aviation Administration. Senators voted 95-3 to advance the bill.

In February, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved its version of the legislation, also containing the McCain-Flake language. The Senate and House have until July 15, when the FAA’s current authorization expires, to reach a compromise.

“The Senate’s passage of this legislation represents an important step forward in making sure Phoenix residents impacted by the flight-path changes at Sky Harbor International Airport have the opportunity to make their voices heard,” McCain said after the vote.

The FAA implemented the flight-path changes in Phoenix in September 2014. They changed the route that about 115 planes take daily when they depart the airport — about one-fourth of all departures.

The change, part of a switch by the agency to a new satellite-based navigation system, prompted hundreds of noise complaints from residents of historic neighborhoods in Phoenix.

MORE: Why the Phoenix Sky Harbor flight-path noise may drive you crazy

The provision would require the FAA administrator to determine whether the changed flight path “had a significant effect on the human environment in the community.” If so, the FAA must consult with airport officials on ways to mitigate the impact, including using alternative flight paths.

A separate provision inserted at the request of Flake and McCain would create an advisory committee to review future proposals related to airspace that “affects airport operations, airport capacity, the environment or communities in the vicinity of airports.”

The committee would consist of representatives of airlines, airports of various sizes and state aviation officials. They would be required to review the way the FAA developed flight-path proposals, including how well it consulted with airports and communities affected by the changes.

After attempts to negotiate changes in the flight paths failed, the city sued the FAA in June. Several neighborhood groups also filed suit against the FAA, and the two cases have been combined.

Terry Goddard, a former Phoenix mayor and Arizona attorney general, is volunteering to represent the neighborhood groups. He said the parties have agreed to delay legal proceedings while they attempt to reach a mediated settlement.

He said there have been four sessions so far and that the Story residents would continue to participate as long as progress was being made.