March 26 meeting to review results of study on flight paths

Madison Eagle
20-Mar-2003

D.M. Airport Developers Inc., the operators of Morristown Municipal Airport off Columbia Turnpike in Hanover Township, will host a public meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 26, in the Renaissance Room of the Westin Hotel, formerly the Governor Morris Inn, at 2 Whippany Road, Morristown.

The purpose of the meeting is to present the results of a study undertaken by the airport last October to evaluate alternative flight paths for aircraft departing from the airport's Runway 23.

According to William List, president of the citizens group Quieter Environment through Sound Thinking (QUEST), it is the departures from Runway 23 that generate much of the aircraft noise experienced by residents of Madison and surrounding communities south of the airport.

List noted QUEST "has worked long and hard with support from local and federal elected officials to bring about such a change" in the departing flight path.

Over Neighborhoods

"It is clear from observing the current Runway 23 departure paths that the standard instrument departure procedure for Runway 23 is not being followed," asserted List. "Many departing flights are being turned early, which causes them to traverse densely populated residential areas. There are other departure paths that could be used that would lessen the impact of these departing aircraft on the residents of Madison and surrounding communities."

For example, List said, aircraft could depart over the Giralda Farms office complex off Madison Avenue in Madison, which he noted is "home to some of the corporations that have aircraft based" at Morristown Airport.

According to Kerry L. Ahearn, operations manager and noise abatement officer at Morristown Airport, packets of information summarizing the Runway 23 study results will be mailed to everyone who attended the first public information workshop on this study last Oct. 30 at the Hamilton Park Conference Center in Florham Park. The packets are expected to be mailed today, Thursday, March 20.

Present at the March 26 meeting will be representatives of the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) and of McFarland-Johnson Inc., the consultant hired by D.M. Airport Developers to conduct the Runway 23 departure study.

Those who attend will have an opportunity to view the study results and ask questions of the Morristown Airport management, employees of McFarland-Johnson and FAA representatives.

In advance of the March 26 meeting, List added, he expects to attend a briefing on the study results today, Thursday, March 20, hosted by the Morristown Airport management, along with a representative from the office of Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen, R-11, and Madison Mayor John J. Dunne.

Issue Won't Go Away

While located in Hanover Township, the airport is under the jurisdiction of Morristown, which owns the land and rents it to the airport under the terms of a 99-year lease.

Complaints about air traffic noise from Morristown Airport, and an increase in jet activity there in particular, has been a front-burner issue for the past several years for QUEST and for mayors in the region who make up the ad hoc Inter Municipal Airport Committee.

Airport managers, meanwhile, counter that noise complaints to the airport are decreasing, and argue that noise abatements steps they have taken are proving effective.

Following meetings with mayors in December and airport managers in January, the Morris County Board of Freeholders decided on Feb. 20 to create an aviation committee to monitor Morristown Airport issues and their effect on residents of the area.


©Recorder Newspapers 2003