Letters to the Editor

Complaint about future 6th runway, excessive jet noise is inaccurate

Tue, 03/17/2009 - 3:27pm
By: Letters to the ...

I am writing in response to the letter from Michael Meyer regarding Atlanta Hartsfield Airport and Fayette County. This is the first time I’ve heard any Fayette resident complain of jet noise from the airport, yet Mr. Meyer encounters jet noise that rolls him out of bed “like a California earthquake.”

And what exactly is a “virtual runway” over Fayette County? Sure, jet aircraft fly over Fayette County but it’s hardly a virtual runway.

And I’d like to point out a couple of inaccuracies in the letter. There are almost NO departures from Atlanta between 11 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. — probably between one and 10 departures during those hours.

Fear not, Fayette County, there will be no jet noise 24/7 over Fayette County. Mr. Meyer doesn’t realize that aviation started contracting before the recession and that will likely not turn around for many years. Also, Delta has expanded use of regional jets that are smaller and quieter than the 757s and 767s Delta has used for 20 years. And don’t forget that every new airliner that comes online is quieter than the model it replaces.

The Vision 2030 is merely a wish list Delta has given to the city before it signs a 30-year lease for services at the airport. Reality is that there is no more land to acquire, so it probably won’t happen anyway.

I think that document is more about negotiating with the city for help building a new terminal. In business, you always ask for more than you would likely settle for. Besides, a sixth runway or massive new terminal wouldn’t come online until well after 2030, if at all.

The fifth runway has been a godsend for the entire Atlanta area and has worked exactly as advertised. Delays are reduced, which enhances airline profitability and customer service.

The airline industry is incredibly important to Fayette County. Thousands of airline and FAA employees live, shop, and work in the county. A strong aviation industry will help mitigate the effects of a crippling recession.

I would hope that our citizens and civic and business leaders will continue to appreciate what aviation has done for our community. Let me remind Mr. Meyer that he moved near a major airport, the airport didn’t move near him.

Chris Kojali

Fayetteville, Ga.

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I like it when they fly over...
Submitted by mysteryman on Wed, 03/18/2009 - 9:31pm.

And then the next morning you have this white film on your windshield, from where they have been dumping fuel on approach. Nothing like the smell of kerosene early in the morning...YEAH....

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Pilot Proaganda Quieter Jets
grassroots's picture
Submitted by grassroots on Wed, 03/18/2009 - 1:10pm.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVaF__xV4wU. This video says it all. please turn your speakers up. Oh gee, so there's only 10 jets outside my bedroom window at 5-6am or 11pm. That's comforting. After a storm they have to catch up which can take until 1:30 am...I know. A "virtual runway" means you are using Fayette County airspace to ascend higher which is louder. You being a pilot should know since incorporating RAV full time you're on a precision pattern. You could drop an egg on my deck from every flight.
For two and a half years there was not one jet over my house until May 2006. Suddenly I don't know the difference between a Mocking bird and a 737? The FAA data shows 45% between 4500 and 8000 ft. ascending. NEARBY is a 10 mile radius. Hwy 54 is not NEARBY the airport, unless your flying a jet of course. Moving means disclosing living under a hazardous jet noise path according to real estate laws and ruins property value. As for complaints...check with Dept of Aviation and see how many they received after 5th runway opened. Yeah, the airport was here first but it keeps moving closer. Why were there jet noise studies of 120 pages before the 5th runway? Because it's a problem!! The only ones who seem to deny this are pilots and air traffic controllers.


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hey grassroots,
Cyclist's picture
Submitted by Cyclist on Wed, 03/18/2009 - 6:22pm.

If this upsets you so much that you have to take time out of a nice summer day to video airplanes flying over your house then, you're not going to be happy until you move. As for your claim of a "hazardous jet noise path"; please do cite us where Fayette County is within such a zone.

BTW, for everyone else, here is "grassroot's" video.

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Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.


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RE Disclosure Laws
grassroots's picture
Submitted by grassroots on Wed, 03/18/2009 - 9:13pm.

Over 1800 homes are under this known flight path created in May of 2006 by the FAA. They are only ascending at 4,000 ft above John Weiland's subdivision River 'something' in Tyrone which he fails to disclose to buyers. So you buy a 700k home there and watch 280 flights a day scream over your BBQ party. Cool dude. Hazardous jet noise path is a technical rule that must be checked yes or no by a private seller. Just as 'do you have a foundation or know of any roof leaks'? As a former Realtor it's the law that Realtors here are ignoring. Only Weiland gets away with a generic statement that you may be near an airport and you should stand by the property for several hours before you buy it. Lame. What if it's a rare day when flights take off another direction. This RE law needs to change. Just like if you bought a house over a nuclear waste dumps. How ya gonna know cyclist?

http://hartsfieldjetnoise.shutterfly.com

Thanks for posting the video. Can you post the Noise Contour map too.? Yeah, a nice summer day is all I ask for. Peace.


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I'm fairly sure air noise is NOT addressed unless
Submitted by Spyglass on Thu, 03/19/2009 - 4:30pm.

the FAA already has purchased the air rights, then it's on record. It's this way with many homes in Forest Park and College Park. FAA bought the air rights above 150 Feet I believe.

Anyways, it would be more than obvious when you looked at the homes that airplanes are overhead. But I've been outside in Tyrone, and still haven't noticed the plethora of noise you seem to have problems with.

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grassroots:Georgia Real Estate Disclosure Laws
Cyclist's picture
Submitted by Cyclist on Thu, 03/19/2009 - 2:38pm.

I'm curious, what's the definition of a Hazardous Jet Noise Path as defined by the Georgia Disclosure Law?

If you are unhappy then your option is to move. If this disclosure form does require acknowledgement by you of a "noise path" without definition then, the answer is "no".

For everyone else, here is the link.

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Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.


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I live a mile or so from Hwy 54
Submitted by Spyglass on Wed, 03/18/2009 - 1:13pm.

And rarely do I hear an airplane from the ATL airport. If you want noise, go to my Grandmothers house in Lake City near Forest Parkway.

And if you don't think the jets are quieter now than they were 20 years ago, I'm not sure you're paying attention.

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Can't Hear from Hwy 54
grassroots's picture
Submitted by grassroots on Wed, 03/18/2009 - 2:05pm.

That's quite possible. Hwy 54 runs from one end of Fayette County to the other. Check this FAA noise Contour map,
http://hartsfieldjetnoise.shutterfly.com
blow it up and you will see the concentration of flights for this particular path. 350 flights in this one day. Now they are no longer within one mile but much less because of RAV technology. Also watch the video to experience noise
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVaF__xV4wU


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