AIRCRAFT NOISE ABATEMENT TASK FORCE FOR THE ST. PETERSBURG-CLEARWATER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. December 1, 2004

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1 AIRCRAFT NOISE ABATEMENT TASK FORCE FOR THE ST. PETERSBURG-CLEARWATER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT The Aircraft Noise Abatement Task Force for the St. Petersburg- Clearwater International Airport (PIE) met at the St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport Administration Building, Conference Room 234, at 3:00 P.M. on this date with the following members present: Thomas Jewsbury, Director of Airport Operations Connie Bardgett, American Trans Air (ATA) Phil McNiff, United Parcel Services (UPS) Rick Cortez, Signature Flight Support Peter Cunzolo, Execujet Aviation John Padavich, City of Safety Harbor resident Bruce Haddock, City of Oldsmar resident H. D. Holland, Feather Sound resident Steve Ochsner, Feather Sound resident Timothy F. Robinson, City of Pinellas Park resident Michael A. Zas, County Attorney s Office** Absent: Noah Lagos, Airport Director** Michael Thompson, URS, Inc.** Saundra Curry, City of Clearwater Resident Captain Jim Fitzgerald, U.S. Army Reserve Alan Clendenin, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) - Tampa International Airport (TPA) and PIE Air Traffic Control (ATC)* J. B. Johnson, Del Oro Groves Homeowners Association, City of Clearwater Resident Russ Weltzien, FAA PIE, National ATC Association* Richard Peiffer, FAA TPA, National ATC Association* Michael Yuska, FAA- TPA ATC* Lt. Commander Eric Riepe, U.S. Coast Guard Also Present: Sharon McCulley, FAA, PIE Jason Schwartz, Airport MaryAnn Penhale, Board Reporter * Advisory capacity only (nonvoting members) **Support staff (not involved in consensus decisions) 1

2 AGENDA 1. Introductions and Opening Comments 2. Third Semi-Annual Report (October 2004) 3. Safety Harbor City Council Presentation 4. Airspace and Noise Studies 5. Flight Activity Flight Schedule Update Voluntary Quiet Window Update 6. Fly Friendly Program 7. Monthly Noise Complaint Reports 8. Helicopter Training 9. Meeting Schedule 10. Citizens Comments 11. Adjournment INTRODUCTIONS AND OPENING COMMENTS Mr. Jewsbury thanked the members for rescheduling their time to accommodate the changed date of the meeting to ; whereupon, he welcomed those present and at his request, the attendees introduced themselves. He announced Mr. Lagos would not be able to attend today s meeting in order to attend to matters in connection with the announcement by Southeast Airlines that the company had ceased operations. THIRD SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT (OCTOBER 2004) Mr. Jewsbury related that the Third Semi-Annual Report had been sent out by the County Administrator to the Board of County Commissioners (BCC), a copy of which has been filed and made a part of the record. He indicated that the report contains 2

3 a summary of the meetings that have taken place over the past six months and an update regarding the airspace and noise studies. SAFETY HARBOR CITY COUNCIL PRESENTATION Mr. Jewsbury reported that at the request of Mayor Pamela Corbino, he and Mr. Lagos had addressed the City of Safety Harbor City Council on November 1, 2004, at which time they had discussed the following: initiatives taken in the past year to help reduce noise measures taken to reduce flights within the quiet window global position system (GPS) approach need for assistance of FAA as a partner in airspace study He commented that the presentation had been very well received; and that the residents were appreciative of ongoing efforts by Mr. Schwartz to address noise complaints on a daily basis; whereupon, he noted that representatives from the community are looking forward to further noise reduction, additional attempts to reduce the number of flights within the quiet window, and implementation of new procedures which will keep planes over the bay. AIRSPACE AND NOISE STUDIES Mr. Jewsbury provided a brief status report regarding the airspace and noise studies; and related that contract negotiations with Jeppesen-Dataplan, Inc. and Wyle Laboratories are in process; that neither the content nor the scope of the project has changed; that the studies are expected to commence in January 2005; and that the task force will be involved in the process on a continuing basis. FLIGHT ACTIVITY Mr. Jewsbury referred to ATA s recent decision to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection; and stated that an approximate 50 percent reduction in ATA 3

4 flights is anticipated after the first of the year; that ATA represents about 50 percent of the airport s traffic; and that the airline has three direct flights daily to Midway Airport, which will be discontinued after the first of the year. He commented regarding Southeast Airline s announcement to discontinue operations; and related that the company accounts for approximately 23 percent of the airport s operations; and that the potential loss of ATA and Southeast Airlines flights would reduce commercial operations at the airport by approximately 50 percent; whereupon, he indicated that staff is addressing administrative and operational issues related to achieving cost reductions. Responding to query by Mr. Padavich, he confirmed the percentages regarding ATA and Southeast Airlines flights; and indicated that USA 3000 Airlines represents slightly less than 18 percent of the airport s operations; and that Canadian operators encompass the remainder. With regard to noise reduction impacts, he stated that Southeast Airlines did not have any regularly scheduled flights within the voluntary quiet window; that during the past week, the airline had unscheduled flights arriving and departing during nighttime hours; and that the loss of the company s maintenance hangar at the airport would result in a reduction of noise. FLIGHT SCHEDULE UPDATE Mr. Jewsbury stated that several weeks ago there had been some UPS arrivals slipping outside of the 15-minute commitment and coming in 20 to 30 minutes early; that the last time this had occurred, it was due to a new crew; that UPS has been receptive to the airport s concerns; that Mr. Schwartz continues to monitor the issue on a daily basis; and that the company is still committed to the 15-minute window. Mr. McNiff indicated that during the last two weeks, flights have not been arriving early; and responding to query by Mr. Jewsbury with regard to additional flights for the holiday season, stated that he will obtain and provide a copy of the flight schedule. Mr. Jewsbury related that last year, the extra flight added during the holidays had been arriving prior to 6:00 A.M.; and that the company had been requested to consider the quiet window; whereupon, Mr. McNiff responded that the matter had been addressed by upsizing the aircraft through use of the airbus. 4

5 VOLUNTARY QUIET WINDOW UPDATE Mr. Jewsbury reported no changes with regard to the voluntary quiet window since the last meeting; and stated that there is still one scheduled UPS flight arriving prior to 6:00 A.M.; whereupon, Mr. Schwartz related that UPS has been very receptive to scheduling flights around the quiet window. Responding to query by Mr. Padavich, Mr. McNiff discussed the early arrival flight; and Mr. Schwartz indicated that the aircraft flies over the City of Safety Harbor approximately 15 minutes prior to arrival time. FLY FRIENDLY PROGRAM Mr. Jewsbury stated that the objective of the program is to work with the general aviation community in reducing noise; and that the proposed program will be presented to the members for their consideration, recommendations, and input at the next meeting. Mr. Schwartz presented a brief overview of the program; and indicated that it will include coordination with air traffic control and pilots to remain considerate of noise-sensitive communities, education for pilots with regard to the location of those communities, and working together with other airports and pilot associations as well as with local pilots. He discussed promotion of the maintenance of the quiet window, touch and go training operations over Feather Sound, and altitude-related issues; whereupon, he reiterated that additional information regarding the Fly Friendly program will be presented at the next meeting. Mr. Jewsbury added that the program encompasses voluntary compliance; that communications with the general aviation community are primarily focused on aircraft based at the airport; and that consideration is being given to the use of various publications to convey information to transient operators. Responding to query by Mr. Holland, Mr. Schwartz indicated that he has had discussions with the National Business Aircraft Association, Execujet Aviation, and others regarding various recommendations that will be incorporated into the program. 5

6 MONTHLY NOISE COMPLAINT REPORT Mr. Schwartz reviewed the Monthly Complaint Summary for October 2004, a copy of which has been filed and made a part of the record, and related that the November report will be available at the next meeting. He noted that over the past several months, the number and percentage of complaints from Feather Sound have increased; and that much of the complaint activity is due to an increase in touch and go training activity from Runway 422; that staff is working with the tower to determine if there are any existing alternatives for the traffic pattern; and that a substantial increase in helicopter activity has also contributed to the increased number of complaints. Responding to query by Mr. Robinson regarding touch and go activities to the south, Mr. Jewsbury indicated that the number of training operations will be minimized to the extent possible; and Mr. Schwartz added that he is not aware of any training exercises taking place during the hours of the quiet window. Mr. Ochsner commented regarding the number of complaints received from Household #5; whereupon, Mr. Schwartz indicated that he could provide additional information regarding the matter; and discussed the pattern of complaints. Ms. McCulley suggested that showing where the complaints related to the quiet window were generated might be helpful; and Messrs. Jewsbury and Schwartz explained follow-up procedures regarding noise complaints. HELICOPTER TRAINING Mr. Jewsbury provided a brief status report regarding an individual who had recently relocated his helicopter training operations to the area. He indicated that the company utilizes two small helicopters to conduct training exercises in and out of the airport; that the helicopters have generated some complaints and concerns regarding hovering and intermingling with fixed wing aircraft; that the operator has met with the air traffic control tower and airport staff to discuss the possibility of relocating its training operations to a different location in an effort to minimize noise; and that the proposed relocation would keep the operations away from Feather Sound. Responding to queries by Messrs. Jewsbury and Holland, Ms. McCulley provided input regarding the proposed traffic pattern; and indicated that the training exercises would take place north of Runway 422 in an east/west pattern over a commercial area. 6

7 MEETING SCHEDULE Mr. Jewsbury related that the matter of frequency of regularly scheduled meetings had been discussed at the last two meetings of the task force; whereupon, he opened up the matter for consideration by the members. Responding to query by Mr. Robinson, he indicated that Mr. Schwartz will present an overview of the Fly Friendly program at the next meeting. During discussion, Mr. Cortez related that he will be unable to attend if the next meeting is held on the last Wednesday of the month; whereupon, Mr. Jewsbury requested that he designate a representative for the meeting; and Mr. Cortez agreed. Following additional discussion, Mr. Haddock moved, seconded by Mr. Holland and carried, that the next meeting be scheduled for January 26, 2005; and that meetings be scheduled for the last Wednesday of every other month at 3:00 P.M., with the understanding that a special meeting can be held if necessary. CITIZENS COMMENTS NONE AIRPORT MASTER PLAN UPDATE Mr. Jewsbury briefly discussed historical background information regarding the airport master plan; and indicated that it will be presented to the BCC at a work session to be held on December 14, 2004, when public comment will be accepted; and that following the work session, the plan will be presented to the BCC for approval and adoption at a meeting to be held on December 21, Responding to query by Mr. Ochsner, Mr. Jewsbury stated that the plan has been available for review on the airport s website; and that a recently revised copy encompasses no changes to the content of the plan and is currently in the process of being posted on the website. In response to queries by Messrs. Padavich and Holland, he indicated that construction of the runway extension will immediately follow the design phase and probably not take place until 2006; and that the cost to the airport for construction of the runway extension is minimal, representing only 2.5 percent of the total amount. 7

8 ADJOURNMENT At the direction of Mr. Jewsbury, there being no objection, the meeting was adjourned at 3:55 P.M. 8