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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 11011994 - 2.4 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FROM: J. MICHAEL WALFORD,PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR DATE: NOVEMBER 1, 1994 SUBJECT: SEMIANNUAL NOISE REPORT FOR BUCHANAN FIELD AIRPORT SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION I. Recommended Action: ACCEPT the attached report from the Public Works Director relating to noise complaint activity at Buchanan Field Airport. II. Financial Impact: None. III. Reasons for Recommendations and Background: The attached report summarizes the noise complaint activity and community concerns regarding Buchanan Field Airport aircraft activity. It includes a caller analysis, complaints by type of aircraft analysis, and staff follow up procedures. Continued on Attachment: SIGNATURE: _RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR _RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE APPROVE OTHER SIGNATURE(S): ACTION OF BOARD ON / / 9`l APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER VOTE OF SUPERVISORS UNANIMOUS(ABSENT ) AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the JMW:TLW:rs Board of Supervisors on the date shown. a I I LDOC ATTESTED: � /, 4 ,,*, y 5/ cc: PHIL BATCHELOR,Clerk of the Board Div:Airports(Contact H.Wight 6-5722) of Supervisors and County Administrator cc: County Administrator Public Works Director Deputy_ r- --, Public Works Accounting By `� r� � Aviation Advisory Committee Federal Aviation Administration NOISE REPORT FOR BUCHANAN FIELD AIRPORT 1994 SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT The purpose of this report is to summarize community concerns regarding Buchanan Field Air- port aircraft operations for the first six months of 1994. Many factors were reviewed to analyze concerns expressed by airport neighbors. This report includes a description of factors that influ- enced noise complaint trends. The nature and type of complaints were identified to address unique concerns of some airport neighbors. Complaints by type of aircraft were evaluated to identify any repetitive problems in regards to aircraft operations. Location where complaints originated are listed and a brief analysis of why these complaints occurred is given. Finally, a description of the ongoing airport programs that are in place to reduce noise complaints is in- cluded. FACTORS THAT INFLUENCED NOISE TRENDS The total number of complaints regarding aircraft activity associated with Buchanan Field Air- port for the first six months of 1994, was 287..This is a 10% decrease compared to the first six months of 1993. These 287 complaints were registered by 87 complainants. Factors that con- tributed to these numbers included a statistical aberration, a down trend in operations, and our noise management program. STATISTICAL ABERRATION One individual was responsible for 52% of the total complaints registered, logging 151 com- plaints for the first six months of 1994. Even this caller's complaints decreased by 69% com- pared to the same time period of 1993. At the request of the Aviation Advisory Committee, this individual was listed separately in our monthly noise reports and.identified in the "Multiple Caller" category. It should be noted that the caller lives less than 1/2 mile from the airport and quite near a helicopter flight pattern. Nine other residents were responsible for 55 complaints. These 55 complaints accounted for 19% of all the complaints regarding Buchanan Field Airport. Of the remaining complaints each household averaged 1.05 calls for the first six months of the year. For the purpose of adding perspective to the report, unless otherwise noted,the multiple caller's contributions are not included further in the analysis. OPERATIONS DOWN The total number of operations for the first six months of 1994, reached 111,583. This is a de- crease of 5% compared to the previous year. It is believed that the decrease in operations can be directly related to the faltering economy. Economic.principles state that in times of a recession the demand for luxury items is decreased. It can be assumed that some pilots view recreational flying as a luxury. During the first six months of 1994, total aircraft operations per complaint averaged 820-1. This is a tremendous increase (65%) of operations-to-complaint compared to OTHER In 1994, only one complaint was registered to the category of"other". This complaint was re- garding an aircraft that a resident reported was conducting aerobatic maneuvers over Walnut Creek. The pilot was identified as a resident who was sightseeing over his own house. Regular follow up procedures were then conducted by staff. f TYPE OF COMPLAINT I 160-- 1993 140 o 1994 120 Y .Tr 100—XZ 80 ro m 60 40 20 v4, s s� z' _s � t axt V I I NOISE NOISE/LF LOW FLY TOO MANY ACFT OTHER craft" or people who where concerned about general activity associated with Buchanan Field Airport. UNKNOWN Occasionally, individuals are unable to clearly identify the type of aircraft that disturbed them. Staff requests that callers supply detail concerning a particular aircraft so that the identification process can be more effective. With the installation of the TRACOR Noise Monitoring System, staff has been able to better identify these aircraft and their precise time of operation. This has enabled the staff to more effectively deal with aircraft that in the past have been difficult to iden- tify. COMPLAINTS BY TYPE OF AIRCRAFT I ALL ❑ 1994 I ❑ 1993 UNKNOWN f i ;r -IELICOPTER S-ENGINE i M-ENGINE 1 I I � I I : j I x I I JET r" -• I I I 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 20( o, L I �k •. 1 I I I 1 -� . I C w O` � T � IIl s I gg tG Ml CL � I U N L U t4 t d C S c m N l6 N d \ \\ O U 1 O O 0 0 0 0 0 a U SUMMARY In review, inany factors were involved that affected noise complaint activity at Buchanan Field Airport. Several factors, such as pilots using noise abatement procedures, a decrease in opera- tions, an increase in community relations, and the implementation of our Noise Monitoring Sys- tem contributed to the decrease in noise complaints for the first six months of 1994. The staff evaluated all categories of complaints in regard to type of complaint, aircraft type, and the cities and towns where complaints originated. For the remainder of 1994, the staff will continue its efforts and be responsive to community concerns pertaining to Buchanan Field Airport. The Noise Monitoring System has enabled staff to better serve the community by readily identifying aircraft operations that have created distur- bances in the community. All of this has been to ensure that Buchanan Field Airport continues its policy of being a"good neighbor."