Why bother about light aircraft noise.

I realize I am considered an unwelcome "troll" on this board, but thank you
anyway for your excellent post.

As someone who lives about 3 miles from a GA facility, I can say that the
small single engine GA planes (C-150s, 172s, etc., and certainly the
smaller "experimental" types, are not a major nuisance. I specifically
avoided purchasing property off the ends of the runways, because I
realized the noise would be intrusive.

However, even where I am, I find that there are very inconsiderate pilots
who fly high performance Mooneys and even Pitts below 1000 feet at high
rpm and in clear conditions with no competing traffic. The local airport
has "voluntary" noise abatement procedures, which are routinely ignored by
certain pilots, and of course the FAA makes, at best, perfunctory efforts
to identify offending pilots.

After going to several meetings concerning the planned "improvements"
(i.e. expansions) of the local airport, I saw quite a large number of
people were severely bothered by the unnecessary noise of the
irresponsible few pilots. Of course, some of the local pilot community
has the "to hell with them" attitude (they were at the meeting), and it
became pretty antagonistic.

Since the industry won't police its own, the airport manager doesn't care
and/or is powerless, and the FAA is indifferent to community noise issues,
we so-called anti-GA activists have taken the battle to the politicians,
and the airport is definitely paying a price. I have raised the issue of
local subsidies that our airport is asking from the city (the huge FAA
subsidies are apparently not enough), safety concerns of expanding the
airport, water pollution issues (the runway extension would require
elimination of wetlands), subsidies, etc. and have gotten many responses
from local, state and federal officials. I have had several letters to
the editor published. I have started posting on this and other boards.

I never wanted this fight, but when I am continously and unnecessarily
harrased by low flying pilots in high performance planes, or twin engine
planes in a hurry to get somewhere and/or save fuel by avoiding the noise
abatement suggested routes, I will fight back using every legal means at
my disposal.

I really don't care all that much about the safety and pollution issues.
I care somewhat more about the taxpayer subsidies. But the unnecessary
noise by an irresponsible few has energized me to research and monitor my
local airport, its finances, etc.

For those who dismiss the complainers as cranks, whiners, trolls, or nut
cases (or jealous - LOL), you are digging your own graves. There are
serious and intelligent people who are fighting your industry, and doing
our best to raise the cost of doing business.

I believe in live and let live, but some pilots don't, so I have become a
vocal and constant critic. And, groups are forming to counter the pilots
groups. Its unfortunate, but I won't be driven from my home by private
pilots.