Observations from "Fly Day" event. The August 1, 2009 “Fly Day” event reminded me of being at an air show.  Some people were very enthusiastic about seeing the F-15s, while others did express their concerns to the Oregon Air National Guard (ORANG), Citizen Noise Advisory Committee (CNAC) and the Port staff. Air shows are fun, but not when it’s over a neighborhood every weekday. Kathy Fuerstenau.

Annotations-

• The noise from the planes during the “Fly Day” event was significant, but was masked somewhat by the traffic on Killingsworth St. Being out in an open field, does not illustrate the sound one hears when inside their home and bounces off the walls.    
• The “Fly Day” results showed the CDA’s maximum noise level from monitors at the Helensview HS and NE 60^th and Ainsworth site between 72.3 to 74.2 dBA.  The Port states that at 70 dBA, it is comparable to the noise from vacuum cleaner. Whereas, the initial May 14, 2008 testing of the Straight-in Approach airport landing, lists a decibel reading between 53.9 to 58.3 dBA, hence a CDA procedure is noisier in comparison.

·         The FAA model has a finite definition of “significant noise impact” and considers noise levels at or above 65 DNL to be incompatible with housing, schools, hospitals, churches, and other federally defined noise sensitive uses and that you do not move noise from an industrial area to a residential area.

·         Despite the fact that the F-15s tried to stay north of Killingworth St., planes flew over the neighborhood, as they have been observed during the testing period.

·         Rep. Michael Dembrow's daughter who just moved into Cully at 72nd and Alberta called her dad at the Helensview site and reported that the planes were very loud and intense.

·         Makes more sense to have ORANG use the north runway for the CDA. In the summer of 2011, the south runway will be closed so all the planes will be using the northern runway. ORANG and the Port have an opportunity to install a braking system next summer when the northern runway is closed again.

·         Depending on weather conditions, ORANG could do an average of 20 to 70 formations per month.  One CDA formation consists of 2 planes flown on a weekday, thus possibly resulting in an average 20 to 70 plus CDAs per month and conceivably 114 in during the month of July and August when conditions are optimal, but would be unlikely due to weather conditions and other factors.

·         During the first 15 days of January 2009, ORANG conducted 9 days of night and weekend training, resulting in 84 flights Weekend and evening trainings are a monthly occurrence that the neighborhood must already accept.  The CDAs add additional noise and significantly impact neighborhood livability during the weekday.

·         In 2002, the Port Noise Management office rejected ORANG request to do a similar CDA whose ambient levels were 43-57dBA, and maximum levels were over 74.5.  “In general this procedure added to the overall noise in neighborhoods adjacent to the airport.”

·         According to the FAA, bird strikes more commonly occur during a turning maneuver.  Last year the Portland airport reported 100 bird strikes. Safety is a concern.

·         The World Health Organization has expressed concern about the impact of aviation on human health. Long term (5-30 years) exposure to air traffic noise levels averaging 65 to 75 decibels increases blood pressure and the risk of hypertension. Sleep disturbance leads to fatigue, hypertension, greater risk of heart and respiratory problems, poor concentration in work and school, increased risk of accidents, depression, anxiety and higher rates of drug and alcohol
 abuse

·         Central NE Neighbors board, the Cully Association of Neighbors, State Senator Jackie Dingfelder and House Rep. Michael Dembrow and City Council and over 100 petitioners have voiced in support ORANG using other alternative options.

A recommendation should not be solely based on dollars and noise, but also on the fundamental livability of the entire neighborhood.

Send comments to CNAC chairwoman Maryhelen Kincaid at jamasu88msu.com or call the Noise Management Dept at 503-460-4100. CNAC will make a recommendation to the Port at their Sept. 10^th meeting, located at the Portland Airport in the St. Helens Conference room from 6-8 pm.