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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 03121991 - 2.5 1DE7LR. 7# TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FROM: J. MICHAEL WALFORD, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR DATE: March 12, 1991 SUBJECT: ANNUAL NOISE REPORT FOR BUCHANAN FIELD AIRPORT SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR REM NnNDATION(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, 1990 ANNUAL NOISE REPORT summarizes the noise complaint activity and community concerns regarding Buchanan Field Airport aircraft operations. It summarizes complaint type, location, time, type of aircraft, and caller analysis. .Continued on Attachment: SIGNATURE: _RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE APPROVE OTHER SIGNATURE(S): ACTION OF BOARD ON MAP 12 1991 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED 1/ OTHER VOTE OF SUPERVISORS I/UNANIMOUS (ABSENT STT ) AYES: NOES: I hardw M*that thta b a&W and aorrect oopy of ABSENT: ABSTAIN: an action taken and entered an the MInuto of the Board of tIr data Herm; JMW:TW:gm ATTESTED: .MAR 12,1991____, c:BO/BO12.t3 PHIL BATCHELOR,Clerk of the Boar Orig Div:Airports of Supervisors and County Administrator cc: County Administrator � s,!•� Public Works Director By — _ --;—..D8Puty Public Works Accounting Auditor/Controller Aviation Advisory Committee Federal Aviation Administration 1990 ANNUAL NOISE REPORT The purpose of this report is to summarize community concerns regarding Buchanan Field Airport aircraft operations for the year 1990 . This report further analyzes the nature and type of complaint by location and time. It provides an analysis of aircraft, causing complaints and a caller analysis profile. The total number of complaints regarding aircraft activity for the year 1990 reached 1, 108* , an increase of 39% over the previous year: Several factors have contributed to this large increase in complaints : FREQUENCY 42% of all complaints on aircraft operations associated with Buchanan Field Airport in 1990 were registered by ten households . Several of these residents lodged complaints almost daily during certain times of the year. HELICOPTERS Helicopter operations increased significantly over previous years . Complaints regarding helicopter activity has continued an . increasing trend since 1986 . 44% of all helicopter complaints were from one individual in 1990 . AWARENESS The Airport made a considerable effort to publicize our complaint hotline telephone number in order to better respond to the community. Increased media attention also played an important role in elevating public awareness. OPERATIONS The total number of aircraft operations for theyear 1990 reached 304 , 868, which is an increase of 13% over the previous year. In addition, this is the highest number of operations since the year 1978 when the total number of operations was 353,.912 . NATURE AND TYPE OF COMPLAINT NOISE During the first six months of 1990, "noise" generated 62% of all complaints . During the last six months of 1990, this statistic was reduced to 47% . This reduction was a direct 'and successful result of voluntary measures the Airport and Helicopter Adventurers Incorporated (HAI ) took to mitigate the noise impacts of helicopter training operations on the community. These measures included HAIIIs voluntarily eliminating weekend and holiday training,. as well as their conducting the majority of helicopter training operations over off-airport remote sites . For the year 1990, approximately 53% of all complaints were regarding "noise LOW FLYING AIRCRAFT The number of complaints for the year 1990 regarding claims of "low flying" aircraft averaged 17%, consistent with the previous year. Most complaints regarding USAir** operations were of "low flying The BAe146 flown by USAir was the largest type of jet aircraft which operated out of Buchanan Field Airport in 1990 . Because of the size of this jet, to some it gave the appearance of being much lower than it actually was . In particular, USAir arrivals on Runway 1L or departures on Runway 19R (operating over Pleasant Hill) usually caused complaints . In December 1990, Airport staff met with USAir Officials and the Air Traffic - Control Manager to discuss this problem as well as measures that ,could be taken to reduce complaints on USAir operations . As a result of this meeting, operations on these runways were reduced, as well as the number of complaints on USAir operations . In addition, when USAir Express begins operating out of Buchanan Field during the Spring of 1991, smaller and quieter aircraft will be used. This should result in fewer complaints on air carrier and jet activity. NOISE AND LOW, FLYING AIRCRAFT Complaints for this category also averaged approximately 17% of the total number of complaints in 1990. Complaints of "noise and low flying" may occur when a pilot executes a "missed approach" or a "go around" . A missed approach is a' maneuver executed by a pilot when he or she did not properly line the aircraft up with the runway, therefore must go around for a second attempt. During these times the aircraft may appear to be somewhat lower and louder than normal, although this is a perfectly safe and legal operation. On March 17 , 1990, the Airport held a "Fly By Day" at Diablo Valley College. "Fly By Day" consisted of demonstration flights to determine noise levels of aircraft utilizing noise abatement procedures and to demonstrate noise level and aircraft altitudes to nearby residents . Residents from all `over Contra Costa County dropped by to see a demonstration of one of the' noise monitoring systems the Airport is considering purchasing. The pilots were members of the Buchanan Field Airport Pilot Noise Abatement Committee. *** Actual noise monitoring took place. Attendees were asked to estimate the altitude of aircraft as they flew over. The pilots would then radio back their actual altitude. In all cases, the altitude reported back was much higher than estimated by those on the ground. "Fly By Day" will be an annual event sponsored by the Airport. The next one will be scheduled for late March, 1991 . TOO MANY AIRCRAFT. Complaints of this nature comprised approximately 8% of the total number of complaints during the year 1990. As previously reported, the number of aircraft operations increased 13% over the previous year. This category of complaints was added in 1989 , as more residents complained of the frequency of having too many aircraft overhead. This type of complaint was most common during the warmer months, when more people had a tendency of either being outside or having their doors and/or windows open. Martinez residents who live close to the Airport are inclined to have more overflights, no matter which runways are in use. This is especially true when several aircraft are in. the pattern. The majority of complaints regarding "too many aircraft" were reported from one Martinez resident in particular. OTHER This category made up approximately 5% of all complaints . "Other" usually were complaints stating that aircraft were not flying the .proper flight patterns, or were not supposed to be flying. over their home. It has become evident that- there is a great misunderstanding among residents concerning flight patterns during 1990 . As a result, during 1991, Airport staff will endeavor to better educate the community of airport procedures . Programs of this nature include a wider distribution of printed material, airport-information presentations, and greater involvement in community outreach programs . These programs are currently in various stages of implementation. r ,a NATURE AND TYPE OF COMPLAINT OTE�[Z 5.00x 8.00x TOO MANY AIRCRAFT ;a € € . i_ -1_€_€,_l€:_`€: S Noise ® Low Flying 17.00% '=a€ ¢ e NOISE/LOWIM No ise/Low FLYING NOISE Flying 53.00x RD Too Many Aircraft ❑ Other 17.00x LOW FLYING COMPLAINTS BY TYPE OF AIRCRAFT JETS The highest number of complaints continued to be directed towards jet-type aircraft. During 1990 sixteen violators to the Airport Ordinance 87-8, landed at Buchanan Field Airport. Each of these violators were notified of their violation and advised not to return to the Airport with that particular type of aircraft . In 1991 , the Airport will coordinate a meeting for all based jet operators to discuss noise abatement procedures . 31% of all complaints in 1990 were regarding jet aircraft. HELICOPTERS The second highest number of complaints were regarding helicopter training operations . This type of complaint is also consistent with previous years . During the Fall of 1990, HAI began conducting tests near several off-airport remote sites, to determine if the number of complaints regarding their training operations could be reduced. In addition, HAI flew more than four times the number of training hours during this test period as they flew during the same period in 1989 , although both the total number of complaints and number of callers regarding their activities actually declined. This apparent success clearly indicates that once HAI has an approved, official, off-airport remote site to conduct training, virtually all complaints regarding training helicopter operations should be eliminated. 22% of all complaints in 1990 were regarding helicopters . SINGLE ENGINE Most of the aircraft that operate at Buchanan -Field Airport are small single engine. 20% of all complaints were regarding the noise of single engine aircraft. The current Noise Control Officer, Tracy Williams , has implemented a program to meet with as many pilots and pilot organizations as possible, on a regular basis . In addition to encouraging the use of proper noise abatement procedures, she will relay to them community concerns and sensitivity regarding complaints, of noise and safety issues . "ALL AIRCRAFT" Complaints of this nature made up 12% of the total number of complaints in 1990 . Complaints of "all aircraft" were usually related to complaints of "too many aircraft" and "all times" . MULTI-ENGINE . 7% of all complaints (one aircraft in particular) in 1990 were regarding multi-engine aircraft. After the Manager of Airports informed the operator of the number of complaints received virtually every time this aircraft operated, complaints on this aircraft ceased. UNKNOWN Occasionally because of the .number of aircraft operating from the Airport, lack of caller information provided, or because the time the call was received, the Airport was not able to tie a specific aircraft operation into a noise complaint. This category made up 7% of- the total number of complaints in 1990 . Measures have since been taken that should reduce the percentage of "Unknown" . In addition, once the noise monitoring system is . installed, identification of offending aircraft should be increased. TYPE OF AIRCRAFT All aircraft 12% Unknown Jet 7% 31% Multi engine 7% Single engine 20% Helicopter 22% r" COMPLAINTS BY LOCATION PLEASANT HILL 40% of all complaints were from residents of Pleasant Hill . Most significant of these complaints, 48% were bothered by "noise" , 20% "noise and low flying" , and "low flying" 17%. Two households made up 20% of all complaints for the City ..of Pleasant. Hill . PACHECO 23% of all complaints were from residents of Pacheco. 70% of all Pacheco complaints were regarding "noise Three households made up 81% of all complaints from Pacheco. CONCORD 22% of all complaints received in 1990 were .from residents of Concord. The most common type of complaint from Concord residents was "noise" , 54% Three households made up 50% of all complaints for the City of Concord. MARTINEZ 10% of all complaints received in 1990 were from residents of Martinez . 41% of these complaints were regarding "noise" ; followed by "too many aircraft" 20% Two households made up 48% of all calls for the City of Martinez . BY LOCATION 40- 30- Percent 030Percent of Total 20 10 LW 1 0 Other Martinez Concord Pacheco P.H. COMPLAINTS BY TIME OF DAY Although the total number of complaints and total number of operations in 1990 increased compared to 1989 , the percentages for the "Time of Day" remained quite the same. This equates to Day ( 0700-1900 ) 78%, Evening ( 1900-2200). 13%, Night (2200-0700 ) 8%, and All Times (all day) less than lis . BY TIME 80 70 60 50 Percentage of Total 40-- 30-- 20-- 0-- Day 030200Day 0700- Evening Might 2200- All 1900 HRS 1900- 0700HRS Times/All 2200HRS Day Period CALLER ANALYSIS PROFILE 42% of all complaints received in 1990 were from ten households . Approximately 55% were from one-time callers, and the remaining 3% of complaints were from households which filed between one to ten complaints ,during, 1990 . In all cases, "noise" was the primary concern. OTHER 5% of all complaints received in 1990 were from residents of cities . other than Pleasant Hill, Concord, Pacheco, or Martinez . These "other" cities included Bryon, Clayton, Orinda, and Walnut Creek. * 54 [5%] of the total number of complaints were on aircraft operations not associated with Buchanan Field Airport in any way. ** 142 [ 13%] of the total number of complaints were on USAir operations . *** This volunteer, informal committee consists of a number based pilots, primarily interested in promoting the Airport' s "Good Neighbor Policy" .