SDL - support your local GA Airport

[Kristie]

Just found out there's another SDL public meeting (concerning noise) coming up on August 5th (which unfortunately, is this thursday night)...

It's at the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus Assembly Room A
12701 N. Scottsdale Road from 6:30-8:30pm.

for more info or if you can't make it and want some info or want to voice an opinion, go to www.coffmanassociates.com (they are the consultant)

I hope someone will be able to make it because Doug and I can't this time around. Whoever is able to make it, please let us know what happens.

[MikeD]

$10 says that for the 50-60 people that attend it, there will again be only 5 or 6 pilots there.

And so the battle gets lost more............

[gomntwins]

I'd go if there was somebody else I could meet up with there for moral support! I don't want to go into a room with 50-60 people hating my guts alone.

[MikeD]

[ QUOTE ]
I'd go if there was somebody else I could meet up with there for moral support! I don't want to go into a room with 50-60 people hating my guts alone.

[/ QUOTE ]

Why not? That's exaclty what I did last time! No wingman, initially, and pressed in........ [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bandit.gif[/img]

Don't let a few NIMBY pansies scare you......

[Doug Taylor]

I thought they moved it because of objections over requiring an ID to enter the center?

[Kristie]

your right! I just looked at the North Scottscale Independent we got today and it's now moved to the Scottsdale Airport Terminal -> 15000 N. Airport Drive in Scottsdale.'

same time & date however

[pilot602]

I'll probably wander over .... I work right on the other side of the airport (tower side).

[MikeD]

Anyone gonna be there? 602? We need a rep. This is important stuff.

[pilot602]

Yeah I'm gonna show up ... I'll probably type up a few notes before I head over.

[Kristie]

let us know what happens!! I want meeting minutes! haha [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bandit.gif[/img]

[pilot602]

lol ... think I should wear my ninja Gi? [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

[Kristie]

nah.. words hurt more than pain! hahahaha

but i'm thinking for hte next meeting, we should have "I support SDL" hats! haha

[pilot602]

Well .... lol I have a cofee mug and t-shirt on my little cafe shop (which has never sold a thing .. lol) that deals with airport noise folks ...
[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[ready2fly]

[ QUOTE ]
lol ... think I should wear my ninja Gi?

[/ QUOTE ]
<this is for Kristie>

"Do it..... Do it!!"


[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[Doug Taylor]

Yeah... DO it... DO it! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Kick ass guys because those arses are very organized and know the 'key phrases' to use to sway public opinion.

[Kristie]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
lol ... think I should wear my ninja Gi?

[/ QUOTE ]
<this is for Kristie>

"Do it..... Do it!!"


[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img]

[MikeD]

[ QUOTE ]
Yeah... DO it... DO it! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Kick ass guys because those arses are very organized and know the 'key phrases' to use to sway public opinion.

[/ QUOTE ]

Precisely. Like I said, we as pilots are only hurting ourselves when 6 of us show at a meeting of 80 people. These people get their collective heads of stupidity together, and convince themselves of even MORE stupidity. This is the kind of dumb-ass s%$t I had to deal with last time.

602, you've got the helm on this one. I can't work it into my schedule to make it from New Mexico to be there tonight, or you could be damn sure I would be there. Hold the line at all costs. If you can, also determine the ratio, this time, of pilots to non-pilots. Be vocal and firm. Request a post-target SITREP. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img]

[Mavmb]

Well I would go tonight and raise cain but I've got real estate class. Gotta go to class so I can buy a TBM or my own military jet -- which would be very useful for breaking the Scottsdale noise abatement procedures! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[bjm]

Is AOPA involved in this at all? Seems like they are very effective at heading off threats to GA, especially airports. Surely they would be willing to help strategize against these NIMBY's.

[MikeD]

[ QUOTE ]
Is AOPA involved in this at all? Seems like they are very effective at heading off threats to GA, especially airports. Surely they would be willing to help strategize against these NIMBY's.

[/ QUOTE ]

Actually don't know. Any help is good on the issue, and I hope some members of AOPA would get them involved.......lest SDL go the way of Meigs.

[bjm]

I see that the AOPA president, Phil Boyer, wrote a piece for the local newspapers back in May. At least they know about the issue, but hopefully they are staying up to date on it.

What exactly are these noise meetings supposed to accomplish? Are they trying to shut down SDL?

[pilot602]

Did a little research so that I would have basic ammunition:

Scottsdale Airport – and by extension the surrounding airpark – is under attack.

In this day and age one's thoughts may immediately jump to the idea of hooded figures plying their evil skills, hidden by the coal-black of night. However if one were to think this one would be very, very wrong. In reality this vision is 180-degrees from the actual culprits.

No, the Scottsdale Airport is under attack by generally wealthy, white home-owners who claim to be bothered by nothing more than the noise of freedom – otherwise known as airplanes.

In response to this aggregious attack on their personal pursuit of life, liberty and happiness they propose to close down – or limit in such a drastic way as to approximate a closure – the Scottsdale Airport.

In this particular day and age where one's mind jumps easily to hooded, evil figures these residents even complained about, and suggested banning, the occasional military aircraft from using this airport. The very aircraft that help keep this nation secure and stable. The security and stability that allows these very residents to lead the lifestyles they do.

However not all of the nearly 15,821 people that live in the 12 square miles – with two or more noise complaints as listed on the Scottsdale Airport Noise Complaints, 2004 grid-map – are complaining. In this nation built on majority-rule if some 16,000 people were complaining about somehitng then it might be prudent to consider doing what they ask. But this is notthe case. No only 10, yes you read that correctly 10, residents account for nearly 90-percent of the 693 complaints this year so far.

The area of the city KSDL resides in accounts for only 31 percent of the total city of Scottsdale and it's demographics, according to the 2000 U.S. Census, are 91-percent white and over 57-percent make over $60,000 per year. In other words this is a small, but wealthy part of town.

Of the 473 local, and 215 regional, noise complaints received this month alone, 90-percent were generated by only 10 individuals. 300 of those complaints were generated by one individual. This individual lives less than two miles directly south of the west one-third of the runway. Apparently no one informed this individual that an airport had existed in this location for over 40 years.

Scottsdale airport began operations on June 22, 1942.

Most of the homes within the immediate three miles – where most of the complaints are generated – surrounding the airport were built long after 1942. Someone must not have informed all these people that an airport was located only three miles from their homes. An airport that was built over 40 years ago.

Interestingly enough while the operations – the number of takeoffs and landings – has increased only 20-percent over last year's operations noise complaints have jumped a whopping 118-percent, according to the Scottsdale Airport Noise Information Report from July 2004. Again, thanks in main part to the efforts of one, solitary individual.

However, let's consider these peoples' complaints for a moment. We'll set aside the fact that the airport was, indeed, "there first."

If this tiny, vocal minority is successful in closing the airport what does the City of Scottsdale, and these residents, stand to lose?

Well, according to the Economic Impact ofthe Scottsdale Airport/Airpark November 24, 2003 report the total value-added economic activity in the airpark was estimated at $2.5 to 3 billion annually. The total value-added economic activity of the ariprot alone was directly $63 million and indeirectly $182 million. The airpark and it's 2,200 business employs 42,000 people and boasts a $1.36 billion annual payroll. This equates, for the city, to direct sales and property taxes of $23 million annually.

If this economic powerhouse – which was grown to its current size because of the airport – were to have it's core cut out, where would these 10 individuals suggest the city make up it's lost revenues? Certainly they wouldn't be so noble as to propose property taxes be increased. No this would affect their own pocket books and seeing that they are not afraid to publicly display their own selfishness a suggestion from them to increase their own property taxes would certainly be out of character.

In the end the problem here is two fold.

One, the vocal minority was too stupid or lazy to determine their surroundings when they purchased their homes and are now seeking to force other people and institutions to conform to their needs. In other, moresimplisteic terms, the airport was here first!

Two, the aviation commnity has been to quick to give into their demands. On the Scottsdale Airport Web site one can find a Pilot "Good Neighbor" pledge wherein pilots voluntarily comit to being "good neighbors" and flying as quietly as possible. Whilethis in and of itself is not a bad thing there is nowhere to be found a Resident "Good Neighbor" pledge. Where is the voluntary commitment from the residents who moved in next to an airport that they will be good neighbors and not. KSDL has, and enforces, a supposedly voluntary noise abatement procedure. A supposedul voluntary crfew has been enacted yet the noise complaints and the actions calledfor by the vocal minority have increased 188-percent.

Where do we draw the line?

Right here.

We as pilots must stand up and fight back. No longer should we allow whiny, single-minded NIMBY groups to dictate our flight procedures and threaten our airports. This is a call to all pilots and all "common sense" citizens to stand up and put a stop to runaway community groups. The airport was here first and if we want the airport to stay we must fight for it.

[pilot602]

Eh I'll edit that when I get time but the numbers are correct ... and pretty much what I'm going to say tonight I htink.

[MikeD]

[ QUOTE ]
Eh I'll edit that when I get time but the numbers are correct ... and pretty much what I'm going to say tonight I htink.

[/ QUOTE ]

Good job. And BTW, make a general announcement when all the people arrive and are looking at all the pretty slides, and ask who the candyass with no life and nothing to do other than make 300 calls.....find out if that candyass is willing to ID himself. If so, roll in, cleared HOT!

These f$%R#$ people piss me off..........

I love a little [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/argue.gif[/img]

Then take their heads and [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif[/img] against the wall.

Request immediate report upon RTB.

[pilot602]

Well, Mike, they must have learned from your encounter ... this meeting was "open house style" in other words ... non-confrontational/pansy style. But I did turn in the above writing as a coment and I was interviewed by Channel 12 (on camera) and by a reporter from the Scottsdale Tribune.

Basically, I said the above but in a more "political" manner I also said that it's important that the aviation community gets its voice heard. I said that were were, as a whole, a fairly conservative group when it comes to operation because following the rules is how we stay alive. I also said that we try to follow noise procedures and that we don't want to tick too many people off but safety of operations overides everything and that at some point we have to draw a line. They asked for noise abatement: we gave it to 'em. They wanted a curfew: we gave it toe 'em. Now they want to close the airport ... where do our rights as pilots get preserved?

I also made it a point to ask about the 1-800 complaint number for local residents. That raised a few eybrows ... even the Coffman rep didn't have an answer. In the end I think (hope) I did a little good ... but I wish it had been a conventional style meeting. But apparently this "open house" is a new technique as a friend of mine had an issue in his neighborhood (non aviation) and this is how they held the meeting. Bastards. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

Anyway check the Channel 12 News at 10 p.m. tonight (August 5) and the Scottsdale Tribune tomorrow for the stories ... I might have a word or two in 'em.