private plane noise

"Art67" wrote in message
...
Thanks for your response. I will inquire with someone at the Palo Alto
airport. I think that is where the noisy planes are from, though I'm sure
it won't do me any good.

By the way, if anyone reading this group uses the Palo Alto airport, has
the flight path changed recently?


Interesting...
I don't fly but on a run past the PA airfield a couple days ago
I couldn't help but notice a sign or two requesting that fliers
hold the noise down out of respect for neighbors. There is
at least some attempt to solve the problem.
JK (who doesn't mind the noise)


David Cartwright wrote:
"Art67" wrote in message
...
Every weekend there seems to be more private planes flying around. Last
Sunday, for example, as i tried to enjoy a quiet afternoon, every 5
minutes or so, a plane would be buzzing outside. The noise is so loud,
even the noise is louder than my TV or stereo. It's like a giant leaf
blower flying over my place every 5 minutes. I have a new roof, double
pane windows, so it's not a problem with my dwelling.
Who can I complain to, or will I have to get use to ear plugs in my
ears.

I suspect other respondents will take the "damned NIMBYs" line, so I'll
try
a more reasoned response :-)

The usual starting place is your local authority, though you could try
calling the local airport. If they're to investigate the matter
sensibly,
you'll need to provide them with the registration markings of the
aircraft
that are disturbing you (and if they're close enough to be a real
nuisance,
they'll be close enough for you to read the registration letters).

To be honest, though, it strikes me as odd that you're finding private
aircraft disturbing to this extent. I live directly under the southern
circuit path (left-hand circuits on RW27, right-hand on RW09) of Norwich
Airport, and so I get a fair number of light aircraft pottering overhead
at
1,000 feet (the standard height for circuits at Norwich). The noise is
certainly not louder than the TV, even with the windows open, and even
if
you're sitting in the garden in the summer with a beer and a butty, you
can
happily carry on a conversation. (In fact when I was a student I used to
live in what used to be the airmen's residences, which are physically
attached to the airport!).

Sounds like something's a bit amiss at your place. Perhaps the circuit
height is a bit lower, or you're unfortunate enough to be in line with
the
runway centreline and you're getting the aircraft landing or taking off.
If
the latter, have a word with the airport about their noise abatement
procedures. Where there are residential areas in line with the runway,
many
airfields (e.g. Old Buckenham, just down the road from here) dictate
that
pilots should adopt a climb-out heading that avoids civilisation, partly
for
noise abatement and partly for safety (if you're heading away from the
houses, you stand a better chance of finding somewhere to dump it should
your engine quit). Although the same is rarely true for landing aircraft
(landing's tricky enough for the average pilot without making them do
wonky
approaches) one finds that the disturbance is less because they've got
the
throttle back to half-power or less during the approach.

But I would urge you to talk to the airport, and even go see the
manager,
because nine times out of ten something can be done as a result of
reasoned
discussion. It may, after all, be that some pilots are flying lower than
they should, in which case the airport can take steps to warn the
offenders - or it may be that the airport could consider adding some
noise
abatement recommendations. Also bear in mind that the airport
authorities
will listen more intently if a number of people go to them than if it's
just
one lonesome person - but if a number of you have a problem, make sure
you
act reasonably and don't just head off on a rant, as that'll do nobody
any
good.

Hope this helps,

D.

In article , Art67
wrote:

Thanks for your response. I will inquire with someone at the Palo Alto
airport. I think that is where the noisy planes are from, though I'm sure
it won't do me any good.

By the way, if anyone reading this group uses the Palo Alto airport, has
the flight path changed recently?


I used to fly out of Palo Alto. Where do you live? The only housing
around PAO is in East Palo Alto, under the departure of Runway 30 --
there is only marsh under the approach end of 30.

We used to make a 30 degree right turn shortly after liftoff, to avoid
East Palo Alto, as it was rumored that some of the residents were taking
potshots at planes.

San Carlos Airport is just about 5 miles north, along US 101 -- it could
also be the cause of some noise.

"Jim Knoyle" wrote in
:

Interesting...
I don't fly but on a run past the PA airfield a couple days ago
I couldn't help but notice a sign or two requesting that fliers
hold the noise down out of respect for neighbors. There is
at least some attempt to solve the problem.

I suspect you are talking about a "Noise Abatement" sign. More and more
airports are adopting them, some as a requirement, others as a "suggested
procedures." In some cases the pilot (at least when departing from some
runways) can significantly reduce the footprint over noise-sensitive areas
by a slight turn after takeoff, which is probably good for both the pilot
and the neighbors.

Unfortunately, many airports (including where I am based) have seen major
housing developments almost completely surround the airport. In those
cases the ONLY option the pilot has left is to depart with a lower climb
per minute rate (either by reducing power, reducing propeller speed, or
climbing at a higher angle). There is a small, but significant reduction
in safety when the pilot does this... it's like asking you to only use low
gear when pulling onto the freeway, meaning that the other traffic is
moving a lot faster than you are. Not the safest way to handle things.

-----------------------------------------------
James M. Knox
TriSoft ph 512-385-0316
1109-A Shady Lane fax 512-366-4331
Austin, Tx 78721
-----------------------------------------------

In article , Art67
wrote:

Orval Fairbairn wrote:
San Carlos Airport is just about 5 miles north, along US 101 -- it could
also be the cause of some noise.

I thought about that too. I will watch the planes this weekend, to see
where they are coming from.


You do realize, of course, that the planes are doing nothing illegal,
and that active private aviation is a sign of a healthy society and is
also a part of modern life -- especially in urban areas.

"Orval Fairbairn" wrote in message
news
In article , Art67
wrote:

Orval Fairbairn wrote:
San Carlos Airport is just about 5 miles north, along US 101 -- it
could
also be the cause of some noise.

I thought about that too. I will watch the planes this weekend, to see
where they are coming from.


You do realize, of course, that the planes are doing nothing illegal,
and that active private aviation is a sign of a healthy society and is
also a part of modern life -- especially in urban areas.

Why do people find noise from suburban airports so annoying. Try listening
to highway noise. My home is several miles from I-495 and I can hear it
sometimes. The gym I use is a few hundred yards from the highway and the
noise is deafening.

"Orval Fairbairn" wrote in message
newsrfairbairn_spam_sucks-
You do realize, of course, that the planes are doing nothing illegal,
and that active private aviation is a sign of a healthy society and is
also a part of modern life -- especially in urban areas.

Assuming that they're conforming with minimum height requirements, published
circuit heights, etc, etc :-) As I've mentioned in a previous post, my local
airport has a circuit height of 1,000 feet, and it's very easy to tell,
noise-wise, when someone who's used to a lower circuit height at another
airfield comes pottering over my house at 800 feet.

D.

As an AOPA Airport Support Network volunteer, noise is a HUGE issue.
The problem with aircraft noise is, I think, twofold. One, it comes from
an unusual direction (overhead)which is probably hard-wired in the human
nervous system as a "panic, panic, danger in the trees" response. Two,
and perhaps more important, aircraft noise is intermittent. Folks can
get used to ungodly noise levels IF they are consistent. It's the
anticipation of the NEXT "damn little airplane" that makes the noise so
aggravating. In other words, if there were loudspeakers around every
housing development broadcasting aircraft noises 24x7, folks would get
used to the background noise, and wouldn't even notice when one more
joined the pattern.

Rip

Orval Fairbairn wrote:
In article , Art67
wrote:


Orval Fairbairn wrote:

San Carlos Airport is just about 5 miles north, along US 101 -- it could
also be the cause of some noise.

I thought about that too. I will watch the planes this weekend, to see
where they are coming from.



You do realize, of course, that the planes are doing nothing illegal,
and that active private aviation is a sign of a healthy society and is
also a part of modern life -- especially in urban areas.

James M. Knox wrote:
: per minute rate (either by reducing power, reducing propeller speed, or
: climbing at a higher angle). There is a small, but significant reduction
: in safety when the pilot does this... it's like asking you to only use low
: gear when pulling onto the freeway, meaning that the other traffic is
: moving a lot faster than you are. Not the safest way to handle things.

It's worse than that... partial-power takeoffs are generally not
only not recommended, but can cause engine damage in some configurations.
For example, in most Lycomings, full-throttle included additional fuel
enrichement beyond just "full rich." Reducing this and/or RPM (if CS
prop) can lead to detonation.

-Cory

--
************************************************** ***********************
* The prime directive of Linux: *
* - learn what you don't know, *
* - teach what you do. *
* (Just my 20 USm$) *
************************************************** ***********************

Art67 wrote in
:

Yes, highway noise, truck noise, lawn mower noise etc. is bad too,
but that noise I can block out pretty well with double pane
windows and insulation, and loud music if need be, but plane noise
comes through the roof, and I don't know how to handle that.

I guess I'm just more sensitive to noise than most people. I asked
a friend if the plane noise bothered her, and she said no.

I was at our local airport today and I heard the takeoff noise of the
loudest Bonanza I'd ever heard. I went outside to see how low it was
... turned out to be a Chevy with no muffler roaring down the side
street.

--
John Godwin
Silicon Rallye Inc.

(remove SPAMNOT from email address)

Attic insulation helps....

"Art67" wrote in message
...
William W. Plummer wrote:

"Orval Fairbairn" wrote in
message
In article , Art67
wrote:

Orval Fairbairn wrote:
San Carlos Airport is just about 5 miles north, along US 101 -- it
could
also be the cause of some noise.

I thought about that too. I will watch the planes this weekend, to
see
where they are coming from.


You do realize, of course, that the planes are doing nothing illegal,
and that active private aviation is a sign of a healthy society and is
also a part of modern life -- especially in urban areas.

Why do people find noise from suburban airports so annoying. Try
listening
to highway noise. My home is several miles from I-495 and I can hear it
sometimes. The gym I use is a few hundred yards from the highway and
the
noise is deafening.

Yes, highway noise, truck noise, lawn mower noise etc. is bad too,
but that noise I can block out pretty well with double pane windows and
insulation, and loud music if need be, but plane noise comes through the
roof, and I don't know how to handle that.

I guess I'm just more sensitive to noise than most people. I asked a
friend if the plane noise bothered her, and she said no.