Resident input wanted for airport noise study
Residents are encouraged to provide public input into a study being conducted by Centennial Airport to evaluate possible ways to reduce noise. After a 60-day public comment period, the airport's study, referred to as a "Part 150 Study," will be presented to the Federal Aviation Administration for review.
The study provides the airport the opportunity to evaluate its Noise Compatibility Program, and propose alternatives or changes to airport operations that might reduce noise in surrounding communities. While city officials can provide feedback, they are not involved in the study and do not control decisions ultimately made by the FAA.
Centennial Airport officials are providing several recommendations to the FAA, including:
- Ban the noisiest aircraft: Stage 1 jets are among the oldest, noisiest and least fuel-efficient aircraft. The aircraft operator of the one Stage 1 jet based at Centennial Airport has agreed to phase it out. City officials support this recommendation.
- Ban noisier jets at night: There are several Stage 2 aircraft operating of out Centennial Airport, and depending on the number and type jet operations, they could significantly increase airport noise. However, banning those aircraft would require another federal study, and other airports that have attempted similar bans have been repeatedly unsuccessful. City officials support this recommendation.
- Allow more departures over Aurora: The Airport has recommended that some aircraft departures - which are typically noisier than arrivals - could potentially be routed over Aurora neighborhoods during nighttime hours. City officials oppose this recommendation.
- Route more daytime departures over Aurora. City officials oppose this recommendation.
- Install noise monitoring system and develop a program to evaluate it. City officials support this recommendation.
- Work with pilots in a voluntary program to mitigate the noisiest flight patterns: The voluntary "Fly Quiet" Program encourages pilots to use different flight tracks in order to mitigate noise. The program cannot force pilots to participate, and many have been reluctant to follow it in the past. Despite these limitations, city officials support this recommendation.
Residents who want to provide input should contact Linda Bruce in the FAA's Denver Office at 303-342-1264 or Linda.bruce@faa.gov. For the complete study and list of recommendations, as well as a complete copy of the city's recommendations, go to http://www.centennialairport.com/ or view a copy at any Aurora Public Library. For questions about Aurora's position on the study, go to http://www.auroragov.org/ or call Karen Hancock, the city's Airport Noise Coordinator, at 303-739-7107. Below is a form letter than can be printed and submitted to the FAA.
Date:______________
Ms. Linda Bruce, Colorado State Planner
Federal Aviation Administration
Denver Airports District Office
26805 East 68th Avenue, Suite 224
Denver, CO 80249
Dear Ms. Bruce:
I would like to provide comments on the Centennial Airport Part 150 Study, as requested in the February 22, 2008, Federal Register. I have reviewed the Noise Compatibility Program recommendations and have identified that the following flight track changes have the potential to increase aircraft noise over Aurora neighborhoods:
- Recommendation 3-Implement 010 degree departure heading for jet aircraft at night
- Recommendation 4-Test 24-hour flight tracks between 350 and 010 degree headings
- Recommendation 5-Elimination of preferential runway use.
I oppose these recommendations and urge FAA not to approve these flight tracks. In addition, I request that the preferential runway be used more frequently to reduce the number of flights over my neighborhood.
Sincerely,
Signature:__________________________________
Print Name: ________________________________
Address:___________________________________
____________________________________
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