EPA update

Yeah, commerical carriers, that makes sense...

Funny how they give two bogus public presentations (click on their web
page) where they portray the runway extension option and the second runway
option as "improvements" and only for "safety purposes." They are
blatently lying to us, and holding the public meetings (run by the paid
airport consultant) only so they can check off the box on the grant
approval form to get the 95% FAA grant from the AIP. I'm trying to fight
them.

This (my anti GA ranting) all happened kind of incrementally over the past
two years. We've had property up here for years; always some airplane
noise, but not like today. So, last year, after I moved up here
semi-fulltime, I phoned in about a couple of really low, loud fliers when
we were having a barbecue in my backyard. I left a polite message on the
airport's VMM, and I got a return call from some woman with a really bad
attitude. OK, so I got dissed by some stupid staff person.... No big
deal. Then it happens again, and again. One time, the airport mgr
actually called me back and was very reasonable, but then he gave me the
bum rush -- said he would post a notice on the website about flying
friendly. He did nothing. Zero. Just kept the same old voluntary noise
abatement procedures posted, the ones that many ignore routinely, the ones
that have been there for years... So I concluded no sense in wasting a
call to those people any longer. Alternatives....

So I call the FAA. Got the bureaucrat treatment when I called their
ridiculous NE noise # (u guys have a handful with those lazy bureaucrats,
that is for sure.)

Then, I notice on the airport web site a public meeting for a so-called
improvement project. Given that I got nowhere with the airport or FAA, I
figure this is my chance. So I did my homework, and off we go.... Went to
the meeting. Asked alot of questions about the purpose of the project,
how they didn't implement the abatement procedures they said they would in
the 1990 part 150 study, etc.

I was not a popular guy there with the guys with the worn, brown leather
jackets, or the hired gun consultant with the Ann Taylor outfit(although
she tried to remain very smooth.....), or the airport manager, etc. The
other noise victims, mostly elderly people, got encouraged though and also
started asking questions after I listened for half an hour and started
questioning.

I kept doing homework. Pilot friend of mine on LI (the guy I have to keep
showing how to operate the GPS....) tells me about AOPA, etc. I did some
flying years back at FRG, but quit. Not enough time with work, family,
etc. So I know a bit already. Start "trolling' on these kinds of boards
for a few months, just picking up the pilot talk. Reading the FARs,
reading AV web, i-Pilot, etc. And here we are, exchanging insults and
making vague threats....

What do I want? To live and let live. Fly friendly. That is all. No
one asks for silence. I have a boat: it makes noise, it burns gas. But I
can operate it obnoxiously (and plenty do), or courteously. Pilots have
the same choice. But, given that they can operate anymously, i think
there is a higher A-hole percentage than with car drivers or boaters. And
their seems to be some serious ego issues with some of the flyers, judging
by how you go after each other on this board.

You are right about my real agenda: excessive noise. The tax subsidies I
pay are just adding insult to injury, but are not the main issue. Neither
is air or water pollution.

Anyway, this is now counterproductive. The AV gas prices will force less
discretionary flying, driving, and boating. If the noise doesn't let up
here, I will retire elsewhere. Probably up in VT in a narrow valley
(Quechee area is nice). No way the planes can choose that as a practice
area.

Anyway, good luck Steve. I think you are probably a responsible flyer.
If I'm right, and 95% shared your attitude, there would definitely be less
anti GA activism around the country.