Tidbits

Some past "tidbits" on QUEST activities:

Jan-2006: QUEST is continuing our work as a member of the Morris County Freeholders in the Morris County Airport Advisory Committee, and have made additional progress in reducing noise. In May of 2005 the preferred landing approach to MMU was adjusted to guide planes at a slightly steeper landing approach (3.5 degrees instead of 3.0 degrees). This helps keep landing aircraft a little bit higher when they pass over neighborhoods in Madison and Morris Twp. It's a small victory, but one we're proud of as we continue our efforts to have noise issues addressed.

Mid Sep-2004: If you were wondering what all those helicopters buzzing around Madison were, it was associated with the filming of a movie.

23-Feb-2004: QUEST is pleased to announce that our cooperative efforts with the Morris County Freeholders (Frank Druetzler and Margaret Nordstrom) and representatives of Morristown Municipal Airport (MMU) within the Morris County Airport Advisory Committee have produced a new map for helicopter traffic which identifies additional noise-sensitive areas in Madison previously overlooked. Regular helicopter traffic is routed over busy highways (probably the best routes one can designate for these noisy aircraft). That's Route 10, 24 and 510 (Columbia Turnpike) for East/West traffic, and 287 for North/South. Pilots are instructed to avoid the designated noise sensitive areas. Helicopters that are simply traversing the area, or that are landing at nearby helipads, or that are responding to emergencies (like Medivac helicopters going to Morristown Hospital or St. Barnabus in Livingston) don't always follow these paths.

Changes from the Jan 2003 map to the new Feb 2004 map are shown below.

Note there are many areas impacted by aviation noise (fixed wing and helicopters) that are not shown as "Noise Sensitive Areas". These maps are targeted to help helicopter pilots on regular approaches, so areas far away from standard routes are not designated. QUEST contended it would make sense to paint all residential areas as "Noise Sensitive", but it was argued the maps would actually be more effective as drawn in guiding pilots.

It's not a panacea, but it's a good faith effort by MMU to acknowledge the problem and work together towards a solution. Let's hope it make life a little quieter for those living in the impacted areas.

Freeholders Druetzler and Nordstrom are to be recognized for their work in bringing together the participants who helped craft this. We applaud the changes made by MMU and thank the leadership and staff at MMU for listening and working with us.

Teterboro is in the news again -- (NY Times Sunday 03-Nov-2003) -- we can learn from the experience of those communities.

[2003 Nov] HELICOPTERS in the spotlight this month (November 2003)

At the 15-Oct-2003 meeting of the Morris County Airport Advisory Committee, there was much discussion concerning helicopter traffic into/out of Morristown Airport (MMU). Matthew Zuccaro, a special advisor to the Board of the Eastern Region Helicopter Council (ERHC), made a point of emphasizing that arrival/departure routes need to be identified with community involvement and input. Part of the ERHC's function is to make sure these routes are followed once they are identified. He seemed sure that based helicopters are compliant, but stated the need to look at transient traffic.

MMU is in the process of updating helicopter noise abatement procedures. The current procedures have helicopters following major road routes (Routes 24 and 287), although there is no defined route for southerly departures/arrivals. During November, MMU will be collecting data on helicopter traffic, including transients. It is important that any helicopter disturbances be reported to the MMU noise abatement office (973-538-3366 x-122) because the noise sensitive areas developed for the pilot inserts are based on noise complaint data. You can/should also report such disturbances to the ERHC hotline (845-353-6050). Make sure you have date/time of incident, direction of flight, identifying marks of helicopter (if any), altitude, etc. QUEST noisewatch forms with such incidents recorded and mailed/faxed directly to Bill List (President of QUEST) by 03-Dec-2003 would be greatly appreciated. I would also like to know general observations you make about helicopter flight paths during November. This will help QUEST provide input at the next Airport Advisory Committee meeting on 10-Dec-2003.

[2003] The County of Morris Freeholders have acknowledged growing concerns about aviation noise and pollution and have formed an Airport Advisory Committee to explore possible solutions. The first meeting was held 16-Jul-2003. We're pleased to announce that in recognition of their extensive efforts and informed and reasonable approach to aviation issues, QUEST is an invited participant.

On 29-Aug-2003 QUEST (in cooperation with the Borough of Madison) submitted a report replying to the initial inquires of the group...

[2003] The FAA is soliciting comments on eliminating runway weight restrictions on General Aviation airports (like Teterboro and MMU). This is aimed at allowing huge Boeing Business Jets (737 aircraft weighing in at up to 171,000 lbs.) to operate out of GA airports.

Comments are due by 15-Aug-2003. More information is available at http://www.nbaa.org/airports/FAA-2003-15495_20030701.pdf

On 11-Aug-2003 the Madison Borough Council passed a resolution (R155-2003) opposing any lifting of restrictions. Residents near Teterboro are also fighting this. Kudos to their Congressman Rothman, a champion of quieter skies, who is leading the fight.

[2003] The 26-Mar-2003 readout on the McFarland-Johnson study of the proposed changes to the Runway 23 departure route came as a distinct disappointment to QUEST membership, and we believe, to the general public. Held on a rainy Wednesday evening in the Westin Hotel in Morristown, NJ, there was no formal presentation explaining the results -- despite requests by QUEST the week before when we heard of the intended format

Instead, the "info-station" format of the meeting perpetuated the chaotic and information-obscuring style of interaction favored by aviation authorities. What is said on one side of the room often seems to contradict what is said on the other, and there is no way to identify and resolve inconsistent information and make progress towards a workable solution.

Bottom line of the March 2003 report: nothing is going to be done about the noise. Not by MMU, not by the FAA, not by the traffic controllers.

QUEST has not given up, and vows to continue pressing the issue.

The previous Public comment session on departure noise held Wednesday October 30th 2002 at 7:00pm at the Hanover Park Conference Center drew 220 people -- an impressive turnout on a cold rainy Halloween Eve. The McFarland-Johnson contracting group hosting the meeting said that in all the public meetings they've hosted, the 50 page bound report from QUEST detailing our NoiseWatch data stunned them -- it was the first such comprehensive report they have ever received.

QUEST members met earlier that evening with representative from Morristown airport (MMU) and the FAA to discuss the McFarland-Johnson study (the consulting group conducting the actual study and gathering public input). The meeting was informative.

Thanks to the QUEST executive team for getting the word out and for their 4 years of hard work to move this process forward, but most of all thanks go out to our hardy QUEST general membership for filling out their NoiseWatch forms and for showing up Wednesday evening! Well done. Together, we can make a difference.

A blue pushpin was given to each attendee to place in a map of the region indicating where they lived. A preponderance of pins crowded the area bounded by Park Avenue, Danforth Avenue, Cedar Avenue, and Fairwood Road on one side, and Treadwell Avenue, Laurel Way, and Nordling Lane on the other. This supports the observation that a pathway down the center of Giralda Farms office complex (i.e. a restoration of the 1975 noise-minimization path) is the best route for departing aircraft.

We've received many comments lately about arrival noise. QUEST is concerned with arrival noise too, but MMU has shown far less willingness to address this issue. We have limited resources -- unlike MMU, we're not a multi-million dollar enterprise -- so we're going for the "easiest" (3+ years of hard work!) goal first. One step at a time. If arrival noise is bothering you, and you'd like to help, please contact us.

[2002] The Public comment session on departure noise held Wednesday October 30th 2002 at 7:00pm at the Hanover Park Conference Center drew 220 people -- an impressive turnout on a cold rainy Halloween Eve. The McFarland-Johnson contracting group hosting the meeting said that in all the public meetings they've hosted, the 50 page bound report from QUEST detailing our NoiseWatch data stunned them -- it was the first such comprehensive report they have ever received.

[2002] See "In the news" for the story of how the FAA appears to operate using a double standard when it comes to environmental studies. Local Morris County residents and elected officials have been working in cooperation with our local airport (MMU) officials to petition the FAA for a modification in a departure path -- one that will send flights over corporate parks instead of homes. The FAA has stalled the process by demanding an expensive study, yet apparently exempt themselves in a similar situation when the need suits them.

[Summer 2002] The US-Citizens Aviation Watch Association (US-CAWA) could use your help. See their letter.

[Summer 2002] QUEST members met with FAA officials, MMU airport owners, and local elected representatives on Friday 14-Jun-2002 to advance proposals to direct jets over corporate parks instead of residential areas. MMU is looking into an environmental study to route departing aircraft away from residences. QUEST continues to monitor progress.

[2001] House Bill HR1116 seeks to reestablish EPA oversight of aviation noise, providing long absent help with our cause at the Federal level.

[Fall 2001] The NJ Department of Transportation State Airport System Plan (NJ SASP) is soliciting public input. Their expansion plans pay virtually no attention to vital noise issues. QUEST has made its concerns known, and plans on being an active participant in the planning process. Visit www.state.nj.us/dot/aviation for more details on the state plan.

[Summer 2001] Once again, Rep. Steve Rothman (Dem. - 9th District [Hudson/Bergen]) together with Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (Rep. - 11th District) and Mike Ferguson (Rep. - 7th District) are leading the fight against aircraft noise.

They announced Wednesday that $8.5 million will go toward redesigning the New Jersey and New York airspace, the most congested in the nation. The three lawmakers also are asking Federal Aviation Administration officials to make airplane noise reduction one of the "primary purposes" of the redesign process. See "In the news" for the article.

Kudos also to Councilman Kerkeslager for citing this effort at the 25-Jun-2001 Madison Council Meeting. Keep up the great work guys!

The QUEST website took a trip back in time to a 1999 version owing to some technical glitches at the RoseNet. If you're reading this, things should be back to normal.

On Thursday 07-Jun-2001, hundreds and hundreds of residents near Teterboro Airport marched to express their anger at the unrelenting noise from airport operations. Local Bergen County mayors and councilmen attended and promised action. A representative from QUEST was on hand to show solidarity, and to learn from their experience.

Members of QUEST attended the second FAA Airspace Redesign public meeting in our area on 26-March-2001 in Parsippany. The turnout was large -- an encouraging sign that many people share our concern about aviation noise. Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen was there and urged the FAA to accelerate their process, and pay heed to concerns about aircraft noise.

A representative of QUEST and other NJ aviation watchdog groups met by invitation with Gubernatorial candidate Bret Schundler on 22-March-2001. The candidate spent almost an hour with us, and was generally sympathetic to our concerns. He expressed enthusiasm for enhanced local rule when it comes to airport expansion and noise concerns. We thank him for the opportunity to meet with him to discuss this issue.