F-35 Fighter Jet vs South Burlington home owners

Unless you live in or near a town that has “something” to do with the F-35 Lightning II (either manufacture of it or it’s thousands of high tech parts) or towns where they will be deployed you may not be following it’s progress; acceptance or lack thereof in towns where they will be deployed.

South Burlington, Vermont is one such town. The neighboring town of Winooski, Vermont is another. (Near the VTANG base)

For the purpose of this blog I am referring to the F-35A variant of the Lighting II. There is also the F-35C which is the Navy variant for aircraft carrier and the F-35B which is the Marine variant for short or vertical takeoff.

Opponents say the F-35A Lightning II aircraft produces more noise on takeoff that it’s predecessor the F-16 Fighting Falcon and the home values in the surrounding areas will drop significantly.

Opponents Say- Noise is the major objection (maybe the only on) as the cities of
South Burlington, Vt and Winooski, VT are in the takeoff and landing zones.

The opponents were not in love with the F-16 Fighting Falcon and say the F-35A will increase the noise pollution even more. They also say the economic benefits do not make up for the added noise level that will depress home values in the areas near the VTANG Base.


Proponents Say- The noise the F-35A Lightning IІ makes is no more than the F-16 Fighting Falcon. (deeper sound) 
Reasoning- The F-35 has one larger engine which is more efficient and less acceleration power is needed for takeoff and the afterburner need not be ignited. Further they contend that the higher pitched screech of the F-16 is worse than the deeper roar of the more powerful engine of the F-35A JSF.

Proponents Say- That if the VTANG squadron does not get the next generation F-35s the base could become subject to closure if further military cuts are needed however if they had the F-35’s they would be Top Dogs and viable for decades to come.
Opponents Say- The economic benefit is not worth the extra noise.

The Twist- The folks making the final decision will probably put more weight on
1) National Security
2) Economic Viability
3) What the noise level means to area residents and the value of their home.

Summary- Whether the area residents are for or against the F35s they will probably come here. If they do not; the F-16 Fighting Falcon will still be flying in our friendly skys for a while.
What does this do to home prices?  Only time will tell.

I feel if people want to live in South Burlington, VT they will whether or not the jets fly. A little Fire in the Sky is the price we pay for national security.

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