I realize that this post does not affect everyone, but a good chunk of my readers and myself are from the Philadelphia region, and I’d just like to get a quick post up about the new airspace changes that Delaware County is trying to make for the airport’s traffic flow. This week, officials from the Delaware County Council, and the county solicitor, will be consulting with attorneys to prepare for a three judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals.
A few locals might recall that the county previously filed suit against the FAA after they partially implemented the airspace redesign plan back in December of 2007. Delaware County is among one of three plaintiffs that will try to persuade the court.
So, what are the changes? The changes allow departing aircraft to fly outbound in multiple directions. Prior to the changes, aircraft could only fly in a single path. The changes are said to have reduced delays in PHL’s airspace, which I guess I can believe. Yet, the concern of the county is jet noise and environmental based.
Additionally, the John Heinz Wildlife Refuge, next to the airport, was not properly assessed by the FAA. The council fears that bird strikes are quite probable, due to the alarming population of Canadian Geese in the area.
Earlier, a petition to review the FAA policies and procedures was dismissed. Apparently, the FAA failed to conduct a cost and benefit analysis, yet a report concluded that the FAA had complied with environmental requirements.
I hate to sound like a real propeller head on this one, but jet noise is not that loud; at least currently. By the time the aircraft have departed from 27/9 or from 17/35(?) and have climbed to a decent altitude before turning, departing aircraft are not too loud. Maybe that’s my own personal bias, but that’s the way I see (or hear) it. Additionally, mandating single line departures significantly will delay outbound aircraft – adding to the already problematic system at PHL.
