News Items

Fly Friendly Inc e ntives / Status September 2006

Status Letter to Hanscom Field Advisory - December 2004

Groton Selectmen Support Plane Sense September 2004

Hanscom Field Advisory Commission May 2004

FAA Airspace Data (RAPTOR) December 2003

Senator Kennedy Meeting with Flight Schools July 2003

Rep. Hargraves Response from MAC July 2003

Groton Selectmen Support Plane Sense May 2003

Rep. Marty Meehan Meeting with Flight Schools Spring 2003

USAF Meeting March 2003

Fly Friendly Brochure Sent To New England Pilots By The FAA October 2002

Boston Globe Article August 25, 2002

Letter to The Flight Schools, August 9, 2002

Noise Sensitive Map provided by FAA

Nashua Airport's Fly Friendly

Letter To The Editor by AOPA Representative

Groton Selectmen Support Plane Sense - Sept. 2004

The Groton Selectmen continue to support our efforts for distribution of aircraft noise to all available airspace as depicted by FAA Raptor Data for July 13th.

Groton Selectmen's Letter to Senator Kennedy

Hanscom Field Advisory Commission - May 2004

Plane Sense presented its concerns on May 18, 2004. Highlights included:

Stated our mission to distribute individual pilot/flight school activity to all available airspace.
Identified flight schools who embraced "fly friendly" and those who did not
Discussed attempts to involve AOPA (Brad von Weise, Craig Dotlo, Phil Boyer) but have received no response
Distributed FAA Raptor data for two dates:

7/6/03 - illustrates the concentration of activity within a narrow corridor of airspace
7/13/03 - illustrates a distribution of activity; this is the day Terry Flieger of the FAA visited Groton to "listen" and heard silence.

Distributed N # logs
Distributed Town of Groton Selectmen's letter to Rep. Meehan discussing disproportionate amount of flight activity in this airspace

FAA Airspace Data (Raptor) - December 2003

The FAA provided two samples of RAPTOR data to Plane Sense in December 2003:

Sample #1: The following radar information represents only GA (general aviation or "small plane"):

Ratpor Data 7/6/03

Sample #2 - July 13, 2003 - FAA's visit; no planes were practicing in four different areas of Groton visited by the FAA.

raptor faa visit

This following is a partial list of aircraft over one home during 7-6-03 was distributed at HFAC in May 2004:

Executive Flyers	335ME	12:50-12:55
ECAC/Plane Nonsense	852ND	13:25-13:35
Executive Flyers	5199J	13:50-14:00
Executive Flyers	95560	14:15-14:35
ECAC/Plane Nonsense	2503V	14:40-14:50
ECAC/Plane Nonsense	2503V	15:05-15:10
Executive Flyers	49221	15:10-15:15
ECAC/Plane Nonsense	116ND	15:20-15:25

Senator Kennedy's Meeting

The following people attended the meeting at Senator Kennedy's office:

Alan Brown	USAF - Hanscom Aero Club
Phil Meteer	USAF - Hanscom Aero Club
El Hilliard	Executive Flyers
Roger Bacchieri	Daniel Webster College
Terry Flieger	FAA - Air Traffic Division
Arthur Davis	FAA - Air Traffic Division
Nancy Risso	FAA - Flight Standards
Ford von Weise	AOPA
Dean Saucier	National Business Aviation Association

* Congressional Aides from Senator Kennedy's, Congressman Meehan's and
Congressman Tierney's office were in attendance
**Handouts included the USAF's alternating airspace locations and N # logs

Highlights from this meeting included:

Executive Flyers (Hanscom Field) will update their noise sensitive area map to include areas of Groton
Executive Flyers (Hanscom Field) will not dispatch flight training (student and instructor) to noise sensitive areas
USAF (Hanscom Field) will continue to rotate their activity. On even-numbered months, aircraft is dispatched south of Route 2 and odd-numbered months, north of Route 2. While north of Route 2, activity will be dispersed to a much larger airspace area than Groton.
Daniel Webster College (Nashua) dispatches on average 20 aerobatic flights to Groton per day. The additional areas of Wilton and east of Manchester were discussed and it seems possible that other airspace within 25 miles of Nashua could be utilized.
East Coast Aero Club (Hanscom) was not present but Senator Kennedy's office will be sending a recap of the meeting.
AOPA (Washington office) sent letters to the flight schools requesting their assistance to "fly friendly".
AOPA representative, Ford von Weise mentioned that part of the dues paid by pilots are used to promote the AOPA's "fly friendly" policy.
FAA verified that airspace under flight paths is legal for training as well as airspace south of Route 2
Discussion of possible waiver to use airspace over Fort Devens for aerobatics
Active involvement of Groton Selectmen and Plane Sense in citizen groups at Hanscom - HFAC (Hanscom Field Advisory Committee)
Plane Sense members clearly stated that their goal is not to move flight training activity to other geographical areas, rather, they are seeking distribution throughout the entire Boston/NH airspace.

Statement read at beginning of meeting:

First of all we want to thank you for taking the time from your schedules to discuss the status of our ongoing concerns with small aircraft noise pollution. We especially want to thank Melissa and Tom of Senator Kennedy’s office and Bernadett of Congressman Marty Meehan’s office for their assistance in this goodwill endeavor. We should mention that Plane Sense’s “fly friendly” efforts have expanded beyond a group of residents. It now encompasses an entire community as evidenced by our Selectman’s endorsement of our mission to distribute GA activity throughout the entire available Boston/NH airspace.

Regarding progress – I’ve provided partial logs from one area for the dates of May 10th, July 6th and July 13th. Incidentally, July 13th is the date Terry Flieger of the FAA visited Groton to listen to the noise and the only noise heard originated from the Pepperell jump plane and over-flights.

I should mention that we are truly appreciative of the USAF’s “fly friendly” approach. They are rotating their practice sessions south of Route 2 during odd-numbered months and north of Route 2 during even-numbered months. Additionally, their activity is being dispersed in a much wider area than in the past when flying north of Route 2.

However, we are seeking additional cooperation since we are still subjected to an excessive amount of noise pollution. Therefore, I’ll put forth some ideas to initiate discussion that we hope will ultimately lead to an approach to solve this problem fully realizing that in order for this effort to be successful, both parties must be good neighbors. Our goal for today is to leave with action items to solve this quality of life issue that we believe can be corrected.

First, we all must recognize that a very serious noise problem exists in Groton during the daytime and occasionally evening hours until 10:30 p.m. The noise originates from flight schools, private GA pilots, private aerobatic pilots as well as the Pepperell’s jump plane’s constant upward, spiraling climbs. Our logs as well as an increasing number of complaints to the FAA substantiate this fact.

In order to solve this problem, additional airspace must actively be sought out. Some questions to be answered include:

1.    What airspace currently exists for flight school training?
2.   What airspace restrictions can the FAA eliminate, for example Fort Devens?
3.   Is the airspace under flight paths restricted for flight schools?
4.   Why aren’t practice sessions concentrated over Route 495, Route 3, Route 2, the Mass Pike, industrial parks or other non-residential areas?

Next, the distribution of available airspace among flight schools must be determined. One suggestion would be to maintain the USAF’s alternate approach and have Executive Flyers fly north of Route 2, East Coast Aero Club south of Route 2 and Daniel Webster College in New Hampshire. Another possible approach would be to use the three areas identified on the USAF’s map and have each of the Hanscom flight schools assigned to a particular quadrant.

Lastly, follow-up mechanisms must be put in place to ascertain that a good faith effort is being adhered to. Currently, Hanscom Field’s citizen groups include the HFAC (Hanscom Field Advisory Committee) and HATS (Hanscom Area Towns Committee) that the Groton Selectmen and Plane Sense will become active members on. Additionally, it would be helpful if the FAA would periodically monitor the airspace via radar information to verify distribution of aircraft to ensure that the promotion of aviation is accomplished with minimal impact on residential areas.

These are only suggestions. We would appreciate your assistance. Thank you.

Rep. Hargraves Response from MAC

Last month, I took advantage of my membership on the Legislature's State Administration Committee to question representatives from the Massachusetts Aeronautics Commission (MAC) regarding the many complaints my office has received from constituents regarding noise from aerobatic flights over the Groton-Fort Devens area. Executive Director Robert Mallard soon responded with a letter which I reproduce in part: "The law clearly establishes the federal government, through the FAA, with the complete and exclusive responsibility and authority for regulating aircraft noise. State and local control are pre-empted by federal statutes. Nonetheless, the Massachusetts Aeronautics Commission (MAC) appreciates the concerns of the residents affected by aircraft opeations and has addressed those concerns in a variety of ways by visiting with residents at their homes while observing aerobatic flights, meeting with neighborood groups that have formed to speak with one voice, and by meeting with respresentatives of flight schools and aerobatic teams to determine what can be done that is agreeable to all. It is desirable to develop a system whereby those on the ground will have less frequent noise exposure in any one town or area, accomplished by users of the airspace agreeing to alternate their flights in several locations. The MAC will continue to work with community groups, flight schools and the FAA to come up with a plan agreeable to all involved".

Groton Selectmen Support Plane Sense

At the Board's May 19th meeting, the Selectmen agreed to endorse Plane Sense's mission to distribute flight school training.

Groton Selectmen's Letter to Representative Meehan

Congressman Meehan Office's Meeting

Congressman Martin Meehan's office hosted meetings to discuss the flight school activity in Groton. Attendees included:

President Hannah McCarthy	Daniel Webster College, Nashua, NH
Michael Goulian, President	Executive Flyers, Hanscom Field, Bedford, MA
Lt. Col. Gaud, Safety Director	USAF, Hanscom Field, Bedford, MA
Janet Malouin, Office Manager	FAA
Nancy Risso, Operations Unit Supervisor	FAA
David Bailey, Burlington	FAA
Wayne Kerschner	Massachusetts Aeronautics Commission
Brad von Weise, Hanscom Representative	Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA)

(Note : Greg Saccardo of East Coast Aero Club, Hanscom Field planned to attend but his car broke down.)

We believe that a positive dialogue between the flight schools and Groton residents created a better understanding of the negative impact of the noise and the willingness of the flight schools in attendance to pursue courses of action of help reduce the impact of the noise.

USAF "Fly Friendly" Presentation

USAF Fly Friendly Presentation

The USAF invited Plane Sense to their monthly meeting to view this powerpoint presentation. Please be patient - this may take some time to load but is very worthwhile.

FAA's Fly Friendly Brochure

Click on the following to read the "Fly Friendly" brochure sent by the FAA's Northeast Region to every pilot in New England in October 2002:

FAA "Fly Friendly" Brochure

An excerpt from the brochure:

"The Federal Aviation Administration receives numerous complaints each year from residents regarding aircraft conducting flight training and aerobatic flight near their homes. If you are involved in flight training or perform aerobatic maneuvers, please consider two important things as to where you choose to perform these maneuvers. First, is the location selected for your training maneuvers and aerobatic flight in compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations? Second, will these activities annoy people on the ground? It is possible to be in compliance with the Federal Aviation Regulations and still generate noise or safety complaints from the non-flying public. Generally, the non-flying public views this type of operation as careless and reckless regardless of where it is performed and regardless of the actual hazard. Furthermore, the noise generated during flight training and aerobatic maneuvers draws the attention of people on the ground..."

Boston Globe Article - August 25, 2002

Click on the following for the complete Boston Globe article:

Boston Globe Article

If you do not subscribe to the Boston Globe archives, a brief synopsis of the article:

Residents concerns include:

Noise

Constant drone - the drone of small-engine aircraft occurs 50 minutes out of each day light hour

The variations in volume and pitch of the planes never becomes white noise and is equated to that of a leaf blower outside a window

The noise is compared to that of listening to a mosquito circling around and around

Residents look forward to rainy days because it is quiet.

Flight schools are unaware of the negative impact on property owners

Property Values

Residents are concerned with property values. Realtors have mentioned that a potential buyer will walk away from a property when they hear the roar of engines overhead.

Groton is a Boston suburb

The perception that Groton is "Mayberry" no longer holds true. 10,000 residents currently live in this suburb of Boston and that number is growing rapidly

Navigational Reference Points

Groton offers easy landmarks for novice pilots. MIT owns an enormous golf-ball-like sphere that is easily seen as the pilots lift off from Hanscom or Nashua. Once in this airspace, major power lines, several bodies of water, and the Nashua River offer ground reference points

Future of PlaneSense

The group is working toward a peaceful coexistence, with a reduction in frequency that will result with pilots altering their flight patterns and exploring additional airspace

Plane Sense is working with the office of US Representative Martin Meehan

Greg Saccardo, flight instructor at East Coast Aero Club offers the following comments during his interview:

Flight schools concentrate their activity in Groton due to habit and airspace restriction

It is tough to change flight schools' habits

Groton is a nice little unrestricted airspace to practice maneuvers

If pilots don't practice, there may be an airline shortage

We would like to be a good neighbor but his is not a NIMBY issue

Letter to the Flight Schools - 2002

This letter was distributed to the following people:

Daniel Webster College	Hannah McCarthy	President
East Coast Aero Club	Mark Holzwarth	President
Executive Flyers	Michael Goulian	President
USAF	Alan Brown	Manager
FAA	Edward Reinecker	Director of Flight Operations
FAA	William Wicks	Senior Aviation Inspector
FAA	Terry Flieger	Environmental Protection Specialist
Massachusetts Aeronautics Commission	Richard Bunker	Aeronautical Inspector
AOPA	Bradford von Weiss	ASN - Hanscom
AOPA	Graham Smith	ASN- Nashua
Massport	Susan Arnold	Noise Abatement Manager
Nashua Airport	Royce Rankin	Airport Manager
House of Representatives - Federal	Martin Meehan	Representative
House of Representative - State	Robert Hargraves	Representative

August 9, 2002

Letter to Flight Schools

Text Version:

Dear Flight School:

In an effort to reduce the level of noise originating from recreational aircraft in this airspace, a group of Groton residents has been meeting for the last few months. From our perspective, the issue is one of excessiveness. The frequency of flight school training activity in our skies has become intrusive and interferes with the use and enjoyment of our private and public properties. Seven days per week during the daylight hours, pilots perform training maneuvers directly above and adjacent to our properties. Unlike residential areas adjacent to airports where takeoffs and landings involve loud volumes for seconds at a time, this issue involves a sustained sound of varying pitches and frequencies throughout the day from 7:45 a.m. to dusk. The noise generated from this activity carries for well over one mile in all directions, therefore affecting hundreds of residents with each session. It is our belief that the flight schools are unaware of the negative impact of their training to those on the ground below and that any negative impact is unintentional.

Why Groton? We speculate that the main attractors are the “MIT Golf Ball” and the “Power Triangle”. Within 2-3 miles of these landmarks are numerous barns, power lines, fields and lakes that offer reference points for a pilot’s training. However, between these landmarks live over 10,000 people, many of whom have recently moved to this once rural town seeking good schools, homes on generous tracts of land and peace and quiet away from downtown Boston. Despite the appearance from 1,000 feet above, it is a misperception to think of this area as a sparsely populated community.

We support the AOPA’s ‘fly friendly’ guidelines that are also endorsed by Massport, the Hanscom Field Noise Workgroup and Boire Airport:
·   vary your practice areas so that the same locale is not constantly subjected to aircraft operations
·   be aware of noise sensitive areas
·   fly at or above recommended altitude
·   during practice of ground reference maneuvers, be particularly aware of houses in your flight path

To those affected residents who listen to one trainee after another, it appears that the AOPA’s ‘fly friendly’ recommendations have not been adopted. While visiting relatives and/or friends in towns such as Southborough, Bolton, or Chelmsford it is rare to hear even a passing plane.

As the recipients of an inequitable distribution of recreational aircraft noise, we are seeking your assistance to distribute flight s chools’ lessons to all non-Class B airspace in the Boston metro area. Rather than concentrating your training in our geographical area, we ask that airspace south of Route 2, within Route 495, east of Route 3, New Hampshire or the Wachusett Reservoir area be explored.   We would be delighted to meet with you or anyone else you deem appropriate at your convenience.

Thank you for your considerations,
“Plane Sense” of Groton

Nashua Airport "Fly Friendly" Article

Click on the following to read the "Fly Friendly" article written by Graham Smith, the AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association) in the Nashua Airport Authority's newsletter in October 2002:

Nashua Airport "Fly Friendly" Article

Letter to the Editor by AOPA Representative

Click on the following to read a letter to the editor by Bradford von Weise stating that the flight schools advocate and support the Flying Friendly Program:

Letter to the Editor

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