Addressees:

FAA:  janet.r.malouin@faa.gov, rita.wornham@faa.gov, nancy.risso@faa.gov, sharon.felton@faa.gov, ronald.j.williams@faa.gov, jack.keenan@faa.gov, paul.falzarano@faa.gov, martha.parish@faa.gov, dolly.bjorklund@faa.gov, elizabeth.cooper@faa.gov, stephen.grota@faa.gov, william.conley@faa.gov, rip.torres@faa.gov, christy.mehegan@faa.gov, eduard.stalzer@faa.gov, willis.talkington@faa.gov, joe.taylor@faa.gov, eileen.hurley@faa.gov, frani.cross@faa.gov, jane.mansfield@faa.gov, beth.babb@faa.gov, john.donahue@faa.gov, william.wicks@faa.gov, ian.duncan@faa.gov, donald.small@faa.gov, bob.barnes@faa.gov, joan.hager@faa.gov, andrew.jeffrey@faa.gov, William.Adams@faa.gov, John.Gagliardi@faa.gov, George.M.Gabriel@faa.gov, edward.l.reinecker@faa.gov
Massachusetts Aeronautics Commission: arthurallen@comcast.net, rsmboston@hotmail.com, navajokid@aol.com, Wayne.Kerchner@mac.state.ma.us, Lorraine.Bohannon@mac.state.ma.us, Michael.Thompson@mac.state.ma.us, Larry.Gallo@mac.state.ma.us, Long.Nguyen@mac.state.ma.us, Joanne.Ruddy@state.ma.us, denise.garcia@mac.state.ma.us, jeff.senterman@mac.state.ma.us, Dick.Bunker@mac.state.ma.us, Annie.Huang@state.ma.us
Airport Managers: b.patzner@massport.com, ashmgr@aol.com
AOPA: phil.boyer@aopa.org


May 2005

Good Day,

I represent the community organization, “Plane Sense”, whose airspace continues to receive a disproportionate amount of flight activity from GA aircraft originating at airports located 20 miles from our homes. Attached please find two letters from the Selectmen of the Town of Groton seeking additional assistance for the equitable distribution of noise as partially illustrated by FAA RAPTOR data of July 13th, the date that Terry Flieger visited. Although our complaint is the discomfort from this noise pollution, what is truly at stake is the abuse of an American freedom due to the concentration of activity in this airspace (FAA RAPTOR data of July 7th).

We are uncertain why our efforts to distribute this noise have been met with mixed results. Our message has been one of cooperation and some flight schools/pilots have voluntarily modified their operations reflecting their concern for people on the ground whereas others have increased their activity. Furthermore, East Coast Aero Club of Hanscom Field is currently registering its aircraft under the corporation, “Plane Nonsense”, e.g. N173ND. We believe that this registration serves no constructive purpose and is a sad commentary on some in the aviation industry’s knee jerk response to reasonable, non-threatening complaints and is a mockery of our organization. Although you may dismiss this as minor, it is further evidence that there is no intent by some in the aviation community to work out mutually beneficial solutions.

After voicing our concerns at the Hanscom Field Advisory Committee last summer, we were contacted by Fairfax O’Riley, a flight instructor who proposed “fly friendly” solutions, e.g. “WINGS” programs, Contract Tower Airports, practice areas, etc. Unfortunately, Fairfax’s career path prevented the continuation of his efforts. To date, we have not been able to find any individual or organizations willing to continue Fairfax’s efforts toward common sense solutions hence our purpose in writing to you, employees of the aviation community. We are hoping that you will be able to provide individuals who are willing to seek solutions to his injustice and use the Massachusetts airspace responsibly. 

I look forward to hearing from you and your recommendations,

RAPTOR DATA: http://www.planesenseofgroton.org/raptor_data/raptor_data.html

Fairfax O’Riley’s email:

I'm sorry you had trouble getting hold of me. I've had a personal development, reflected in my email address. My wife and I are moving to Reno, Nevada, where I've been asked to run a software company. 

Unfortunately this means that I won't be able to continue my work with your organization. However, there has been considerable enthusiasm among several of my peers (flight instructors at East Coast Aero Club) in picking up and moving ahead with my efforts. Some of the instructors who have asked to participate are: Chris Rourke, Maurice Morneau, Jim Henry (also an FAA Aviation Safety Counselor). Also several pilots have expressed similar interest.

I met with the airport management at Beverly and Norwood airports, both of which are in close proximity to Hanscom Field in Bedford. Both of these are soliciting training traffic and have practice areas nearby, and both are easy flights for student pilots from Hanscom (Beverly slightly more so than Norwood, due to the Class B airspace around Boston). Jim Henry would be able, and interested, in setting up Wings programs that educate pilots about proper operations, altitudes, maneuvers and utility of practice areas.

I have been speaking with the ATC coordinators at Boston Center (ZBW) and Boston Approach (A90) about identifying "designated practice areas" and getting information about these broadcast as local NOTAMs on the ASOS frequencies at Fitchburg and other nearby airports. Frankly, this is a bit more of an uphill battle than I thought it would be and some support from your selectmen would be greatly appreciated.

Chris Rourke had some good thoughts about the mapping. It's something he should be able to complete fairly quickly and could then be placed on our website and others. I asked the Mass Aviation Commission about them publishing an Eastern Mass Aviation chart with our practice area suggestions noted, and though there was some interest we need to find funding and state government support. Which I don't think will be that difficult.)

With respect to training airspaces, there is no such designation for either flight schools or acrobatic pilots. These are entirely voluntary. The notion of one or the other being more or less restrictive is purely a matter of suggestion rather than regulatory. I'll get Chris, Jim, Maurice, et al to make contact and introduce themselves. There is really more enthusiasm for working with you than you might realize.