Runway report ‘all about jets’
Thursday 23rd July 2009, 1:00PM BST.
AIRPORT neighbours and deputies are angry about a report suggesting the island needs a longer runway.
The York Aviation report found there would be little value in increasing the runway length in the next 10 to 15 years, but wanted provision made for work to be carried out after that.
Neighbour Gwen Wilson feared her quality of life was under threat, and for no good reason.
‘It will affect our life quite strongly and devalue our property – and there will be years of building work,’ she said.
She also feared that previous views could be ruined and the smell of aircraft fuel would affect more and more people.
Her husband, company director Gordon Wilson, said he knew many people who were upset by the suggestion.
He has asked Public Services to meet him so he could discuss the couple’s concerns, but no date had been set.
He believed the real drive behind the extension project was to supply businessmen with jet services.
‘The jets are much more loud, much less environmentally friendly, and less economical and they only get you there a few minutes faster – there is little real-time benefit.
‘I don’t see that there is any need to increase the runway size.’
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Having lived very near the airport for 50+ years I disagree that jets make more noise. A Trislander’s take-off noise lingers and is much more disturbing than any of the modern jets.
Biz jets use the airport daily and no one appears to be bothered about them but as soon as an extension to the runway is mentioned, jet noise is an issue. If it needs extending do it now, not in 15 years when the cost will double.
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New generation jets and turboprops are very quiet, far quieter than the piston types which fly in and out daily. I would ask the neighbour who said that “The jets are much more loud, much less environmentally friendly, and less economical” to support this argument with facts. The new generation high by-pass turbofan engines are far quieter and a lot more efficient than older generation jets. Flybe got rid of the old Bae 146 because the engine technology was old and inefficient by todays standards, I’m sure they would like a longer runway so they could base one of their new Embraer jets here, an aircraft which is quieter, more environmentally friendly and more economical – the exact opposite to the neighbours arguments.
It never ceases to amaze me when people who live near an airport complain about it. It was there when you moved in, and if you think any business/facility will remain the same forever then you’re incredibly naïve. If I were to buy a house near an airport I would expect that over time, the number of flights would probably increase, and the airport itself may look to expand.
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Sorry but I have little sympathy with those who CHOSE to live near the airport and then complain about noise and the fact it may expand. Anyone with any common sense who buys property in such a location should be prepared for noise and possible expansion. It’s like buying a house next to a church and complaining when the bells ring!
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Frank.
I seem to remember a couple who moved into a property at L’ancresse, and didn’t like the intrusion of a long established pistol range and, to the annoyance of a lot of people, got it closed down.
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Alan.
That’s true and in that case it was probably because they knew “the right people” that enabled them to have a long established sports facility closed – quite wrong and very sad that this could have happened. However, I don’t think we’ll see the airport closed down….
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