State Rep. Sheila Harrington addressed the Hanscom Field Advisory Commission (HFAC) and Massport at their Dec. 15 meeting, calling their response to ongoing noise and safety complaints from her district "frustrating" and "unconscionable." Harrington highlighted that despite years of documented issues related to flight school activities at Hanscom Field, no effective action had been taken. She emphasized that repeated complaints and video evidence identified East Coast Aero Club, the largest flight school at Hanscom, as a major source of the disturbances.

Addressing Massport’s community relations representative, Anthony Gallagher, Harrington expressed frustration with the lack of enforcement and perceived protectionism for violators. She recalled her 2019 visit to HFAC, where she raised concerns about aircraft activity over her district, only to experience targeted overflights shortly after. Harrington noted social media posts encouraging pilots to harass her constituents, underscoring the need for action against those who violate regulations.

HFAC Chair Chris Eliot explained that the commission is advisory, not enforcement-oriented, and highlighted their efforts to clarify Massport's noise report handling process. Gallagher pointed out that enforcement falls under the FAA's jurisdiction, not Massport's, comparing their role to parking enforcement versus DUI enforcement. Harrington, however, reiterated that Massport should take a more active role in addressing tenant behavior and called for stronger measures, including potential lease enforcement and a warning system for noise violations.

The meeting concluded with discussions on potential steps Massport could take, such as adopting policies from other airports that link noise violations to operator consequences, aiming to mitigate the ongoing disturbances and protect community residents.

Read the full coverage here:

https://thebedfordcitizen.org/2021/01/rep-sheila-harrington-calls-on-hfac-and-massport-to-take-stronger-action-on-flight-school-issues/