BeCA received the email below from a concerned Bellvista resident: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.
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.
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.
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
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