Residents discuss Runway Rotation Tests, nighttime airplane noise
At press time, the City of Elmhurst and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had scheduled a public meeting at City Hall to discuss the Chicago Department of Aviation’s Fly Quiet Runway Rotation Program on Tuesday, Oct. 3. The FAA was asked to attend this meeting due to the recent 100% increase in nighttime airplane noise affecting specific areas in Elmhurst.
This aircraft noise increase is a result of the Chicago Department of Aviation’s Runway Rotation Plan (RRP) test, which has been implemented to analyze the shared impact of aircraft noise in neighborhoods surrounding O’Hare Airport. The RRP Tests encourage pilots and traffic controllers to use designated nighttime runways. The tests are analyzed by community feedback, including a survey designed for the RRP.
Nighttime air traffic, noise increases 100%
The Fly Quiet Program is currently administering RRP Test #3. This test directly impacts specific areas in Elmhurst, with a 100% increase in scheduled nighttime air traffic compared to Test #1 and Test #2. Every other week during the evening hours of 11 p.m. – 5 a.m. aircraft noise from low flying planes are causing distress to many Elmhurst residents. This test will be in place until October 14, 2017. If the survey results for Test #3 show low community feedback, it is possible that this RRP will be the Chicago Department of Aviation’s long-term plan for designated nighttime runway use.
Officials from the FAA were to describe the progress on the O’Hare Modernization Plan.
A report from the meeting will appear in a future issue of the Elmhurst Independent.
