Airspace Redesign
“We want the business that airlines bring to this area, but if the airline delivery system destroys the experience for both tourists and residents, what have we gained?” That is how Tom Merrill started his presentation to Bob Ball, Executive Director of the Lee County Port Authority (LCPA), Doug Murphy, Southern Regional Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and a small group representing a cross-section of Islanders.
Merrill is a member of a citizens group called AIR – Airline Intrusion Relief. The luncheon meeting was held at a private residence on Estero Bay; a beautiful location that aligns with the runway for Southwest Florida International Airport. As Tom shared a history of how Fort Myers Beach has been impacted over the years by changes in aircraft arrivals and departures as well as increases in air traffic, aircraft flew overhead every 5 to 10 minutes – some from the south, some from the north, some right over the middle of the island. Nobody said anything. The message spoke for itself.
On September 30, 2008 a new air corridor was initiated that directs aircraft past the airport, over communities in Estero and Bonita Springs at 4,000 ft, out into the Gulf and back to the airport over the south end of Fort Myers Beach at between 1,600 ft and 3,000 ft. Almost immediately noise complaints started. As Islanders returned and the number of aircraft increased, complaints increased, signs of air pollution were reported and health concerns were expressed. After the aircraft incident over the Hudson, safety issues were raised for potential bird-strikes with aircraft flying at low altitudes. Flocks of birds are seen circling over the island at altitudes higher than some arriving aircraft.
When Southwest Florida International Airport was built, it was far from populated areas. Since then, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Bonita Springs and Naples have become a megalopolis. Estero and Lehigh Acres are growing communities. Aircraft use roads in the sky, just like vehicles on the ground. Over the years as demand increased, new air corridors had to be designed and capacity of existing air corridors expanded. Increased air traffic has invaded our solitude. Over 10 years ago, a few Islanders recognized the potential aircraft intrusion over Fort Myers Beach. We should have listened. We should have done more. As communities developed closer to the airport and more people came by air, aircraft got pushed farther out from the runway. Aircraft corridors were relocated to try to avoid disturbing new developments. Because of prevailing wind conditions about 80% of aircraft land to the northeast on Runway 6 The center of Fort Myers Beach is in direct alignment with the runway, about 11 miles away at its closest point. Before long there will be a second runway located one mile south of the existing runway. It too will be aligned with Fort Myers Beach. The good news – it is not too late to address aircraft intrusion. There are solutions that will not negatively impact other communities.
What do we do now? We must fight for our quality of life. Estero and Bonita Springs have also been impacted by recent airspace changes. However, no Lee County community has been affected more than Fort Myers Beach. There were two meetings last week with representatives of the FAA and LCPA, one in Estero and one on Fort Myers Beach. Concerns for aircraft flying over populated areas were expressed and solutions suggested. A Resolution passed by the Fort Myers Beach Town Council was presented requesting relief from the impact that the airspace redesign has had on our island. FAA Southern Regional Administrator Doug Murphy agreed to have his technical staff evaluate proposed regional and local airspace changes that could decrease the number of aircraft transiting highly populated areas of Lee County. Noise abatement approach procedures, including keeping aircraft higher and quieter over Fort Myers Beach, will be investigated. A committee with representation from the communities of Fort Myers Beach, Bonita Springs and Estero will work with the Lee County Port Authority, the FAA Redesign Group, Air Traffic Controllers and the airlines. Improvements could be implemented in as soon as 60 to 90 days. Mr. Murphy and some of his staff will review progress to mitigate aircraft intrusion at a Town Hall meeting to be held in Fall 2009.
This is good progress, but we cannot sit idol. Noisy, low-flying aircraft need to be reported to the airport noise coordinator so that complaints are documented. This data will be included in an FAA required Noise and Land Use Study to be initiated Fall 2009. Our U.S. representatives need to be kept informed of our concerns and whether we are satisfied with progress. The “engines” of growth cannot be allowed to destroy paradise. It is up to us to take control of our destiny.