Lincoln Journal
May 30, 2002

Jet blasts test abutters' nerves
Massport claims noise will drop

By STEPHEN HAGAN
STAFF WRITER

Residents who live at Battle Road Farm are accustomed to loud noises emanating from nearby Hanscom Air Field. But some recent late night noises at the airport have neighbors talking. And the talk is not good.

Some say the sounds are so loud they are reminiscent of an impending jet crash. The question is: what can be done? Call Massport? Complain to airport officials?

Neighbors have done these things and, reportedly, the middle-of-the-night noise are continuing.

What the neighbors are pointing to is something known as " run-up " or a procedure that takes place when maintenance personnel rev jet engines during service of the aircraft. The only problem is the hour. Residents say the maintenance is taking place during the overnight hours when most are trying to get their rest.

Constance Lewis, who lives in Battle Road Farm, was one of several airport neighbors recently " awakened with a pounding heart " by an aircraft that " sounded as if it was ready to crash " into the North Lincoln development. The incident took place around 1 a.m. on March 13, according to Lewis. Lewis said the noise that night continued periodically for about an hour.

After she was awakened, Lewis called Hanscom Air Field’s Noise Complaint Line to register her complaint. She said she was unable to go back to sleep for several hours after being awakened.

" It was just awful, " Lewis said. " (The plane) was on the ground kind of riding around and revving up its motor. It found it very frightening. It woke me up with my heart pounding. "

Several neighbors whom Lewis spoke with reportedly heard the same noises. A number of neighbors attempted to call the airport to get an explanation about the incident but were unable to find a clear story about what was taking place that night.

Eventually, Lewis received a form letter from the airport that said the noise on the night of March 13 was " generated by aircraft maintenance run-up. " Aircraft maintenance includes periodic engine " run-up " or revving an airplane’s engines to test the craft’s different components and systems.

While airport officials maintain that most run-ups take place during the day, there have been instances when they take place in the evening or at night. Massport policy requires that maintenance personnel notify airport operations staff before the planned late-night run-ups occur.

Several businesses located at Hanscom maintain and service aircraft, including East Coast Aero Club. The school offers a curriculum that certifies graduating students as FAA aviation maintenance technicians. Other maintenance businesses at the airport include: Aviation Electronics, Inc., East Coast Aviation, Jet Aviation of America, Inc. and Nagle Aircraft Inc.

Massport spokesman Richard Walsh said that since Hanscom is a general aviation airport and also maintains FAA certified repair stations, run-up is a necessary component. He said many late night run-ups are conducted by Shuttle America maintenance workers.

" The maintenance crew, prior to conducting the engine run-up, have to coordinate the activity with Massport, " said Walsh. " What we do is determine an area at the airport that will affect the least amount of people based on location and weather. "

The run-ups take place with jets backed up to " blast pads " that direct the jet blast upwards. However, the pads have no impact on the volume of the jet blast, according to Walsh. He said Massport officials prevent run-ups from taking place on the Lexington side of the airport, since a number of homes there are located across the street.

Still, Walsh admitted that a number of homes are close to the blast pads. He said Massport officials are continuing to direct airport personnel from using the devices during the late night hours.

Neighbors react

Annie Calhoun, another Battle Road Farm resident, described the run up sounds as similar to a plane crashing into the ground. She called 911 on one recent occasion.

" It was really loud, " said Calhoun. " It sounded like a roaring engine. I didn’t realize it was on the ground. It sounded it was buzzing our little condo community. "

While the Massport policy is aimed at preventing late night run ups, Lewis said the policy falls short. She described the noise as something like the sound a person might hear if he or she were standing directly behind a jet engine before it takes off. Lewis suggested a pilot responsible for the noise be fined $10,000 for each incident.

" It was far and away the worst noise ever, " said Lewis. " I can’t imagine the adults who live here could have slept through it. It was just that loud and went on that long. I really do think it’s a problem. "

Lewis believes there are currently no sanctions to prevent the airport’s maintenance operations from conducting business during overnight hours.

One potential solution on the horizon will be a reduction in maintenance operations for Shuttle America. Walsh said the airline has notified Massport they plan to relocate their maintenance facility at Hanscom to another location out of Massachusetts by the end of June. Walsh did not know where the operations will be moved.

" So, this late night run up problem has been solved, " said Walsh. " When Shuttle America moves it’s maintenance facility off Hanscom, we’ll have less engine run ups. Unfortunately, this will mean a loss of jobs. "

Currently, the airline has a fleet of 12 aircraft, all maintained at Hanscom, Walsh said.

" I think people need to understand Hanscom is a general aviation airport and engine run ups are a general occurrence, " said Walsh. " It’s a safety issue. I don’t think people want aircraft taking off that haven’t gone through the necessary safety procedures, including engine run ups. "

Lewis said she understands the nature of airport business. Still, she just thinks the timing of the run-ups is off base.

" I don’t think they have any business doing it late at night, " she said.

Calhoun said she has previously heard similar sounds between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. She said any fines that might be levied against the airport companies can be absorbed as a cost of doing business.

" It seems to be a new pattern that there’s a lot more flights leaving outside acceptable hours to fly, " said Calhoun. " These are the kinds of people that if they can afford corporate jets to fly out of the airport, they can probably afford these fines. "

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