Our coalition is tired of no peace
Let's clarify the key issues we're addressing with the City of Pompano Beach, the Air Park Management, the Air Park tenants and flight schools, our congressman, and the FAA. Our primary concerns are safety and protection from noise and toxic lead pollution affecting our air, soil, and water.
The Air Park’s business plan includes aviation services and flight instruction, with American Flyers being the largest flight school. The increase in student enrollments to address pilot shortages has led to numerous flights that negatively impact the community. The Air Park operates 24/7 with planes flying loudly and at low altitudes, often ignoring "recommendations" for quiet flying since there are no regulations enforcing them.
Student pilots practice repetitive landings, known as “touch & goes,” using old Piper and Cessna planes with outdated Lycoming engines, which generate significant noise. While installing mufflers has been suggested, it's not a simple fix. We need to focus on solutions, not just endure the problem.
The FAA, funded by Congress, regulates airspace but prioritizes the aviation industry over the communities affected by their flights. Congress recently allocated $105 billion to the FAA for safety, mainly to hire air traffic controllers, so our safety should also be a concern.
I founded Neighbors Against Air Park Noise & Pollution to address the numerous complaints from Harbor Village residents who have lost the enjoyment of their outdoor spaces. While living near an airport means expecting some noise, the high volume of instructional flights and the overall growth of the Air Park is unacceptable.
The fatal crash on July 10, which killed an instructor and student, highlights the danger. Another fatal crash occurred on Harbor Drive in 2016, and the Broward Sheriff’s helicopter crash last year, which killed a woman in her home and a BSO medic, underscores the risks of flying over densely populated areas.
Noise pollution disrupts our mental and physical health, including our sleep, and toxic pollutants from leaded fuel and other emissions harm our lungs and properties. EPA studies show these toxins are especially dangerous for children. The City of Fort Lauderdale is already taking action against leaded fuel at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, and Pompano Beach needs to follow suit, even though the FAA allows leaded fuel until 2030. Cars stopped using leaded fuel in the 1980s, yet the aircraft industry continues to use it, bypassing our city’s noise ordinances. Pompano claims it cannot impose noise restrictions without risking a lawsuit from the FAA, as happened in 2009. We reject this precedent as unassailable, as our safety is at stake.
We have asked the city, the Air Park, and Congress to work with us on these safety issues, but they seem focused on expanding the Air Park while tax-paying residents seek to halt its growth. The city even plans to relocate the Sand & Spurs stables to make room for more hangars.
“There is nothing we can do” is an excuse. Change is possible, but our government needs to collaborate with us, not against us. Our coalition is tired of the constant noise, toxic pollution, and property devaluation (prospective buyers are deterred by the low-flying, loud planes).
We have asked the Air Park to compromise by limiting flight school hours to the air traffic control hours of 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. for our safety. Student pilots should not fly without tower guidance, and test flights should be conducted in less populated areas and not between 10 p.m. and midnight.
This issue affects the entire city and is a national concern, with other members of Congress advocating for aviation noise reduction and emissions bills.
We seek solutions and elected officials who will work with us to find them. We urge those who share our views to make their voices heard locally and in Washington and to vote for the changes we want to see—and not hear. November is approaching.
Read more:
https://www.newpelican.com/articles/opinion-our-coalition-is-tired-of-no-peace/