Concord Journal
May 23, 2002

Neighbors air noisy issue with Hanscom commission

By Barbara Forster
Correspondent

Aircraft noise was a hot issue for the Hanscom Field Advisory Commission on Tuesday.

Residents who live near the field report that nighttime and early morning (after 11 p.m. and before 7 a.m.) aircraft noise has escalated dramatically. " Engine run-ups during evenings, at night, and on weekends have become a serious problem for area residents, " said Margareta Lidskog of Concord.

Shuttle America’s Mark Cestari admitted that the airline has, since Jan. 1, had " an unusually high amount of maintenance " due to the introduction of 12 new aircraft into their fleet. " That will not be the case after July 1, " he said. " Primary maintenance will be elsewhere. We didn’t like it but this was a temporary situation. However as long as planes are overnighting, we will have run-ups from time to time. "

Before Shuttle America’s agreement with US Airways, aircraft maintenance was in Buffalo, N.Y.

Starting this summer, Shuttle America will have two permanent planes at Hanscom.

Aside from the ebb and flow of Shuttle America’s fleet presence, discussion focused on whether Massport can control the timing of run-ups. Currently Massport " encourages " engine run-ups during normal operations which are 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Walsh pointed out that run-ups, particularly after maintenance work, are part of the process and also a safety component to make sure repairs are effective. " The leases we have (with the businesses) allows them to maintain aircraft and this is the last part of the process, " he added.

When tests are after hours, maintenance people are required to notify the airport operations shift manager who determines a location that will disturb the fewest number of residents.

However, Julian Bussgang of Lexington cited a state environmental regulation which states that airport operators can not allow " routine warm-ups, testing, or other operation...while on the ground " that contributes to air pollution " outside of the property lines of the airport, that in the opinion of the Department are unreasonable and feasibly preventable. " Noise is defined as pollution.

In these situations, the Department of Environmental Protection is the enforcement agency.

Marty Pepper Aisenberg of Save Our Heritage reported that at least two airports, Phoenix Sky Harbor and San Diego Airport, prohibit engine run-ups at night. Walsh argued that these facilities are commercial airports without regular maintenance bays. Because regular maintenance is done elsewhere instituting a prohibition against the activity is easy.

Amid the discussions, Peter Enrich of Lexington asked for a response from Massport’s legal department on the issue.

Cape flights

Massport confirmed reports that Boston-Maine Airways plans to fly out of Hanscom starting mid-June. Headquartered in Portsmouth, N.H., the airline has had off-again, on-again plans to initiate service to the Cape and islands for several months. Current plans call for a maximum of 13 daily flights or 26 individual operations (departures and arrivals.)

Added to Shuttle America’s total of 22 daily operations, the level of activity at Hanscom would total 48. One more flight would trigger additional environmental studies because, so far, Massport only has studied impacts on the environment up to 48. In letters to the airline and in statements to community residents, Massport has stated that an environmental review must be completed before exceeding that magic number.

Massport is currently involved in its own environmental studies for the air field, but a draft version will not be ready until November. If an airline wants to add more flights before the study is done, it would be responsible for the review process.

Although the announcement is official, at least from Boston-Maine’s perspective, the airline does not yet have a go-ahead from the Federal Aviation Administration. The airline is, however, in business negotiations with Massport. " They did sign a copy of the draft (business) operations agreement, " said Walsh. " I believe they are currently thinking about leasing a small counter and manning the operation themselves. "

Walsh noted that at one point, Boston-Maine considered working a deal with Shuttle America.

No surprises

Why aircraft noise levels were up in March, as compared to last year, was no mystery after Massport representative Sara Arnold reported that the total number of operations between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. increased 16.4 percent. In staying with the trend, business jet activity jumped 56.5 percent. The amount of activity in the other categories of civilian aircraft was up, too.

Night action between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. increased from 137 to 176, but noise complaints dropped from 880 to 709.

Air show update

Hanscom residents can expect to hear the Thunderbirds several times before the show officially begins. The aerial acrobats arrive on Thursday but, due to a promised flyover at West Point will leave Hanscom Friday morning and return in the afternoon.

The traditional, more-or-less-open-to-the-public Friday practice show is not taking place as the planned weekend security measures will not be in place. Only special groups have been invited for Friday’s activities.

Col. Phil Meteer, who heads the air show, reported that various issues including parking and reimbursing the towns for additional police costs, have been " put to bed."

Meteer pointed out that the military will be actively managing parking on Hartwell Avenue — " All the businesses on Hartwell helped out, " he said — Virginia Road, at Minuteman Regional High School, and at the national park. Shuttle buses will not be available.

The air force has set aside a viewing-only area on the north side of the field near the former Raytheon hangar. Approximately 5,000 cars can squeeze in.

Due to security measures, coolers and backpacks are not permitted; fannypacks, purses, diaper and camera bags which are permitted will be searched. Fold-up chairs are OK but Meteer recommended that chair carry-bags stay in the car.

© Copyright 1995-2001 - Town Online - All Rights Reserved ==========
**NOTICE: In accordance with 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.** ==========