Jacks Mountain Wind Turbine Letters Needed.

On Wednesday, December 18, 2013 11:03:12 AM UTC-7, Karl Striedieck wrote:
As noted before, the soaring at Mifflin could be negatively impacted by the installation of dozens of 450' high wind turbines on Jacks Mountain. Last night at the meeting of SOAR (Save Our Allegheny Ridges) the matter of FAA approval for these potential obstructions was discussed and a request for input from pilots was made.



The particular issue involving the FAA concerns the closest four of the 20 turbines Volkswind is proposing for its initial project. But the installation of any of these devices will render the ridge unsafe for any front/back side ridge flying that is important to Mifflin as a soaring site. This is because Jacks has a very narrow peak.



Following are links to three documents pertinent to a letter to the FAA. The first is an explanatory e-mail form Laura Jackson, head of SOAR. The second is a copy of a letter David Bargainier wrote. And third is a letter from the AOPA to the FAA on the subject.





http://mifflin.ridgesewing.com/Appeal_from_SOAR.pdf







http://mifflin.ridgesewing.com/Pilot...ion_Letter.pdf







http://mifflin.ridgesewing.com/APOA_...ion_Letter.pdf



Letters from pilots to the FAA can be brief summaries of your concern that approval of this project will present an unacceptable safety hazard to pilots, and any other reasons you might find useful from the AOPA and David's letters.



Thanks for the support.



Stay tuned.



kS

To help out, as we ALL need to come together on this, below is a copy of my letter. By making a few changes with your name, its a start. If you haven't soared this area, someday you might and its a majestic site. We need to keep it as such. Thank you. #711.


December 19, 2013

Mr. Gary Norek
Manager, Airspace Regulations & ATC Procedures Group
Federal Aviation Administration
800 Independence Ave., SW
Room 423
Washington, DC 20591

Obstruction Evaluations 2013-WTE-5770-OE, 2013-WTE-6214-OE, and 2013-WTE-6232-OE

Mr. Norek:

Hello, I, as a retired Airline Captain/USA National Soaring Champion and US Team Soaring Team member submit the following request in response to the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) determination of no hazard for Obstruction Circularizations 2013-WTE-5770-OE, 2013-WTE-6214-OE, and 2013-WTE-6232-OE. Based on the significant impact on general aviation flight operations and safety including soaring flights, races and use of these ridge areas which benifit the USA's entry for training purposes into World Soaring events, I request the FAA re-evaluate the obstructions and issue a determination of hazard.

The location of these proposed obstructions is a 20 mile long mountaintop ridge line extending more than 20 miles. Needless to say this area is a popular location for glider and sailplane operations. The cumulative impact of dozens of wind turbines along a ridgeline is far more substantial and significant than a single obstruction. Based on these factors, I feel that the threshold for significant impact has been met. Based on this finding, I request the FAA re-evaluate the obstructions and issue a determination of hazard.

We members of the Avaition comunity appreciate the opportunity to submit this request and looks forward to the FAA responding favorably to protect general aviation access and safety in the National Airspace System.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Thomas E Kelley
ATP # 1891591
Captain, retired, US Airways ( Piedmont, US Airways, now American Airlines)