The Noise that Annoys

    They say that if you live alongside a railroad track, eventually the roar of passing trains will become transparently innocuous and hardly ever noticed. A similar acclimatization is apparent for those living under regular flight-paths in the vicinity of major airports. However Newark Liberty and Bradley Windsor Locks Airports are among two of the five major airports in the area that are about to have all their flight-paths re-routed by an FAA eager to streamline traffic flows, reduce ATC interaction and minimize delays. The airspace redesign project is not unaware of people's concerns and the New Jersey Coalition against Aircraft Noise has been watching prospective developments closely. The noise objectors are advocating departure routes that divert to climb over ocean before re-crossing the coast and proceeding enroute at a much higher altitude. The FAA has given that sort of dogleg a thumbs down on the basis of fuel usage and artificially injected delays. The new system is to be premised solely upon greater efficiencies.
    The FAA has been examining the nation's busiest airspace for the last nine years. The area in play includes the 5 major airports and 16 satellite airports within a 31,000-square-mile area that stretches from Delaware to Connecticut. The F.A.A. has admitted that ground noise just isn't the first priority in its planning. They point at the decades of noise reduction technology that has made engines quieter and the increased performance of modern jets that allows them to get higher and quieter faster than ever before.
    There are four possible plans in play for the re-routing. Under each one there will be winners and losers beneath the new flight-paths. In August the Agency will be announcing its decision. MORE