THE CITY OF SCOTTSDALE WILL BE PRESENTING FLIGHT PATH ALTERNATIVES TO THE FAA.
YOUR COMMENTS TO THE FAA ARE NEEDED!
In three workshop meetings the week of April 22nd, the FAA displayed a Concept One and Concept Two to alter flight paths to/from of Sky Harbor Airport that affect the northeast valley. SCANA was pleased that the FAA has presented ideas and opened dialogue to at least discuss possible northeast valley flight path changes. Regarding the biggest issue, the intrusive departure paths, the FAA's Concept One (last map shown at bottom) would create a new path (orange) that would overfly the nearby unpopulated McDowell mountains. While this is a positive step, only 30% of the current air traffic would be moved to this path, with the remaining 70% still overflying our communities. This would not provide the level of relief needed.
Since then, the City of Scottsdale and its aviation consultant, JDA Aviation, have researched and will propose other alternatives to the FAA's concepts that would provide more substantial relief to Scottsdale communities. The City's first alternative (the first map at bottom), named the Preferred Modification, would create a new flight path (purple) east of the Fort McDowell reservation for two of the current flight paths (QUAKY and MRBIL). The third flight path (ZEPER, green) would remain where it is today over Scottsdale. If implemented by the FAA, this alternative would move approximately 65% of the traffic away from Scottsdale communities. While this would be a welcome change, and SCANA is supporting this alternative, SCANA will propose to the FAA that the ZEPER (green) path then be moved to the FAA's Concept One route (the third map below, orange path) that would be placed over unpopulated mountain terrain. With this addition, up to 100% of the environmental impacts being suffered by northeast Scottsdale communities today would be addressed.
A second City alternative (the second map below), named the Acceptable Modification,would place two of the current routes( QUAKY and MRBIL, yellow paths) over the mountains using the FAA's Concept One path and leave the third route (ZEPER, green) in place over Scottsdale. This alternative also would move about 65% of the traffic away from Scottsdale communities and about 35% would remain. While this option is SCANA's second choice of the City's proposals, it would likewise provide meaningful relief that SCANA would support. SCANA will propose to the FAA that the ZEPER, green, flight path also be moved to share the outgoing route that the other two routes would follow. This addition would move up to 100% of the traffic from our communities.
The FAA's Concept Two (shown on the first two maps below) creates two new flight paths for arriving air traffic from the east (EAGUL) that is landing at Sky Harbor and would be located further south of the current routing. The current arrival flight path would be eliminated. These new paths look promising to alleviate some noise and safety issues for northeast valley communities and would diversify the traffic. SCANA supports the FAA Concept Two as presented.
Is is unknown if the FAA will pursue any actual flight path changes, even the Concepts it has presented itself. Those in aviation circles think it is possible the FAA may be more receptive to changes that result in diversification of traffic that is shared by the public. If so, the City's recommended changes both leave one flight path and up to 35% of the current traffic over Scottsdale. This philosophy may be acceptable if put into practice. However, with geographic options available due to unpopulated terrain, SCANA will continue to propose changes that restore environmental levels that existed prior to NextGen, but we will also support alternatives that provide significant, even though not 100%, relief..
YOU NEED TO GO NO LATER THAN MAY 23RD TO THE FAA WEBSITE TO ONCE AGAIN SUBMIT COMMENTS ON THESE ALTERNATIVES. HERE ARE SOME SUGGESTED POINTS TO INCLUDE, OR FEEL FREE TO ARTICULATE YOUR OWN CONCERNS. TO SEE A COPY OF THE CITY'S SUGGESTED TALKING POINTS, CLICK HERE.
1. Your personal story of how the new NextGen flight paths have impacted your life.
2. If you attended one of the workshop meetings, say so.
3. While FAA Concept One is a move in the right direction, it does not solve the noise and safety issues of the northeast valley. State the end result must be the restoration of the environment to pre-NextGen levels that existed in 2014.
4. Say you support the City of Scottsdale's proposed Preferred Modification. Add that moving the remaining flight path to the FAA's Concept One route is also necessary.
5. Say that Scottsdale's Acceptable Modification is your second choice. Again add that moving the third remaining flight path to the same suggested route is necessary.
6. Say that you support the FAA's Concept Two to diversify the eastern arrival path into two separate paths.
7. If you are impacted by air traffic issues emanating from Scottsdale Airport please submit comments regarding those issues as well.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FAA WEBSITE
TO SUBMIT YOUR COMMENTS
SUBMIT AS MANY COMMENTS AS YOU WISH
It must be noted that the FAA has made no commitment that it will pursue either their own concepts or any other alternatives. HOWEVER, THE FAA WANTS TO COLLECT COMMUNITY INPUT REGARDING THESE POSSIBILITIES SO IT IS IMPORTANT THAT RESIDENTS SUBMIT ONLINE COMMENTS TO THE FAA WITH THEIR REACTIONS TO THESE ALTERNATIVES OR THEIR OWN VIEWS.
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Please take a few moments to do the following:
1. If you haven't already, please go to the SCANA website at airplanenoise.org and vote YES to support SCANA's efforts to restore Scottsdale's quiet skies.
2. Go to the SCANA Facebook page at Scottsdale Coalition for Airport Noise Abatement
https://www.facebook.com/airplanenoise and "Like" the page and "Follow" it.
3. Contact our elected representatives often to voice your concerns over the FAA's arbitrary actions in the implementation of these flight paths. Go to the Complaint page on our website to click on the parties you wish to contact.
4. Spread the word about SCANA and our website to neighbors and friends who are also concerned about the loss of their safety and the loss of the enjoyment of their outdoor activities. Ask them to sign up on our website to receive our updates.
PLEASE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE EFFORTS TO RESTORE THE QUIET AND SAFE SKIES SCOTTSDALE ENJOYED BEFORE THEY WERE STOLEN BY THE FAA
WE DID NOT MOVE TO THE FAA, THE FAA MOVED TO US!
Thousands of homeowners in Scottsdale and across the Country purchased their homes before an airplane superhighway was "arbitrarily and capriciously" placed over their neighborhoods without their knowledge or input.
