Just thought we would send you some feedback on Aerodrome Forum.
Fly Neighbourly Agreement:
We are reasonably in agreement with what is set out on this.
We are reasonably in agreement with what is set out on this.
Noise Complaints:
We have made some complaints to SC Airport & Air Services Australia over the last 3-4 months. Simple because we are fed up with the noise from these training helicopters. We've been here approx 8 Years and over the last 3 Years have coped a beating from these choppers. Prior to that, we had no reason to complain. When we built, we had all of the acoustic engineering done, as per council requirement, at a great extra cost. Our home is probably one of the most noise reduced homes in here.
We have made some complaints to SC Airport & Air Services Australia over the last 3-4 months. Simple because we are fed up with the noise from these training helicopters. We've been here approx 8 Years and over the last 3 Years have coped a beating from these choppers. Prior to that, we had no reason to complain. When we built, we had all of the acoustic engineering done, as per council requirement, at a great extra cost. Our home is probably one of the most noise reduced homes in here.I
have attached a copy of some photo's I found on a website, that I stumbled onto on Thursday,that show the helicopters we seem to have the most problem with. As there company name, and rego letters are not visible underneath, like the fixed wing aircraft, it makes them hard to identify properly from the ground. Someone could suggest that this be done for the purpose of identification. So when there is a problem they can be easily identified like the planes. As for a rise in reporting of noise complaints of late, until recently, we had nowhere to report this, because no one wanted to know.
have attached a copy of some photo's I found on a website, that I stumbled onto on Thursday,that show the helicopters we seem to have the most problem with. As there company name, and rego letters are not visible underneath, like the fixed wing aircraft, it makes them hard to identify properly from the ground. Someone could suggest that this be done for the purpose of identification. So when there is a problem they can be easily identified like the planes. As for a rise in reporting of noise complaints of late, until recently, we had nowhere to report this, because no one wanted to know.I had a conversation with Danny Eatock(SC Airport) a bit over a week ago, after I made a noise complaint, and feel that the powers that be are treating the residents with contempt. We have a right to be able to live here without the constant noise from these 'rogue operators'. Got the feeling that they we're a bit put out because we have dared to complain. We have made 3 or 4 complaints between late April, and middle of June. These are the only ones we have made in the whole time we have lived here, and then it was only done out of sheer frustration. We are not unreasonable people who live in this estate, we are all trying to be neighbourly. I think we have put up with enough.
I do admit, over the last couple of weeks, we seem to have had a reduction in traffic over us. Not a complete stop, but more bearable. The circuits map you have on the BECA website. We live in the very top left corner of the map. Why are they, and have they been flying over us for the last 3 years, or so,if they are supposed to be with the limits of the blue and yellow contour lines?? Over the past few weeks, sitting in our outdoor area, which faces the south, we have witnessed quite a few choppers and fixed wing flying right across the centre of the estate, in an area they have never flown in before. Some quite low, and turning over this area. We do realise that conditions dictate a change in flying habits at times, but have some serious questions about some of the activities we witness from time to time. Overall,if this airport stays in the longer term, it is only going to get busier. So now is the time that they need to get flying habits under control. We can no longer support it staying. This site can be far better utilised, at a profit to council as a business/retail/transport/residential hub for Caloundra, and provide far more jobs than it currently supports. Jobs/accommodation/further education for the kids(over 7500) who are currently in our schools at the moment, who will need employment in the next 10-20 years, and future residents of Caloundra South.
BeCA forwarded the email on to representatives of the Caloundra Airport Management. Later this afternoon we received this response:
Thanks for your feedback on the latest Caloundra Community and Aviation forum, In response to your other comments regarding the issue of aircraft flying over residential areas, it is regrettable and I am apologetic if you are being affected by aircraft noise from Caloundra Airport.
Unfortunately aircraft will require flying over residential areas to approach and take off from that airport, and during training circuits, once they have gained flying height though, they should then move onto the training area away from the airport.
There are occasions when it is necessary for aircraft to remain over residential areas. As residential development has been allowed up to the boundary of the airport, on landing and take off, it will require close level flying to housing.
At the initial level of training, it is required for aircraft to do what is called circuits, this allows the student pilot to learn to land and take off, this requires the aircraft to stay in close to the airport, and when the wind dictates landing or taking off over residential developments.
I regret any inconvenience that you are experiencing, we have been in contact, and as you are aware are continuing to have industry meetings with the flying schools, and ensure they are adhering to our Aircraft Fly Neighbourly Policy, and I will continue to bring this matter up at our next Community and Aviation Forum.
If there is any further information you require regarding any of the information above, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Regards
Danny Eatock
Operations Manager
Sunshine Coast Airport
BeCA forwarded the email on to representatives of the Caloundra Airport Management. Later this afternoon we received this response:
Thanks for your feedback on the latest Caloundra Community and Aviation forum, In response to your other comments regarding the issue of aircraft flying over residential areas, it is regrettable and I am apologetic if you are being affected by aircraft noise from Caloundra Airport.
Unfortunately aircraft will require flying over residential areas to approach and take off from that airport, and during training circuits, once they have gained flying height though, they should then move onto the training area away from the airport.
There are occasions when it is necessary for aircraft to remain over residential areas. As residential development has been allowed up to the boundary of the airport, on landing and take off, it will require close level flying to housing.
At the initial level of training, it is required for aircraft to do what is called circuits, this allows the student pilot to learn to land and take off, this requires the aircraft to stay in close to the airport, and when the wind dictates landing or taking off over residential developments.
I regret any inconvenience that you are experiencing, we have been in contact, and as you are aware are continuing to have industry meetings with the flying schools, and ensure they are adhering to our Aircraft Fly Neighbourly Policy, and I will continue to bring this matter up at our next Community and Aviation Forum.
If there is any further information you require regarding any of the information above, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Regards
Danny Eatock
Operations Manager
Sunshine Coast Airport
Given that the airport has been around for quite some time, I'm at a loss as to why you purchased property there.
ReplyDeleteI live in an area where we have circuit aircraft come over at between 500 1000 ft with very little noise. I strongly believe that those that complain about circuits are either over sensitive or over exaggerating the actual noise levels.
I do believe that the airport attempts to reduce the impact on others and I agree when some idiot breaks regs or acts without respect to others they should be admonished. But in this case, the closure of an airport and the impact it has on the businesses located there is patently unfair and lacks the same respect for others, namely those there first. Those that were there first, minding their own business far from the centre of town.
Thanks Anonymous for your comment.
ReplyDeleteThe Airport Forum is not about closing Caloundra Airport. The Airport Forum is about building communication channels between communities, Airport Management and the Businesses who use the airport. It is an opportunity for Airport Management and communities to exchange comments and concerns. This is exactly why the recent "Complaints Procedures" were introduced. The revisited and updated Fly Neighbourly Policy is a another direct result of this communication via the Airport Forum.
I am a resident of Bellvista and I bought outside the airport's designated training circuits and landing paths. Yet sometimes you wouldn't know it as, particularly helicopters (and especially one or two well very known ones here on the estate), fly directly and repeatedly over my home, outside any designated training or flight path areas. There seems to be an apparent total disregard for residents and the Fly Neighbourly Policy from these particular helicopter pilots.
Yes we bought here some time ago knowing the airport was nearby. Back when we bought there were a few helicopter pilot indiscretions. If there were any, they only occurred from time to time. Helicopter pilot indiscretions have become much more of a problem during the last few years.
And I quote "when some idiot breaks regs or acts without respect to others they should be admonished". I totally agree!
Since the complaint procedures have been introduced there appears to have been an improvement in helicopter pilot behaviour.
Now whether or not the airport should be closed or not, that is a totally different question, ... but that question is not the business of the Airport Forum!