Palomar Airport: Next Gen, 112

No, today’s topic does not relate to baby boomers or Generations X, Y (millennials), or Z. Rather “Next Gen” refers to the latest FAA airport technology that could make your life miserable.

If you saw the CBS morning show on January 30, 2015 and the statements of the Phoenix mayor and New York Congressman Steve Israel, you know why.

What is “Next Gen”?

Aircraft pilots historically rely on air traffic controllers to guide aircraft to the airport. In contrast, Next Gen creates a satellite based aircraft guidance system.

Why should you care? Next Gen allows aircraft to make much more direct airport approaches and increases airport flights per hour.

Perhaps you have heard a similar concept related to “driverless” cars. They will be able to travel the freeway in the future with minimal distances between the cars. At 60 M.P.H., cars could travel one car length behind the car in front rather than 4 to 6 car lengths. Thus, freeway capacity can be more than doubled.

What Happened in Phoenix and New York?

Next Gen technology recently started in Phoenix and New York. According to the Phoenix mayor, noise complaints increased from 221 in all of 2013 to 3300 within the first four months of 2014. And the FAA has been unwilling to discuss the issues with the mayor. New York Congressman Steve Israel notes that NY airports have had similar Next Gen problems. And the FAA has been similarly unresponsive.

Why more noise complaints? Next Gen changes the flight path of aircraft approaching airports. Historically, FAA controllers and aircraft pilots often approach airports using broad sweeping flight paths. Such paths build in flexibility for the controllers and pilots to make last minute changes.

In contrast, the Next Gen satellite system – like the driverless freeway cars noted above – allows pilots to fly more directly to the airport and to stack up behind each other. So if you thought you bought a home in a “quiet” Phoenix or New York neighborhood, the rules have changed.

Do you think you live in a little noise area around Palomar? Do you still want to see the county extend the Palomar runway from 4900 feet to 5800 feet?  If you sell real estate in areas around Palomar, what do you tell your sellers and buyers now in the mandatorily required disclosure forms? 

Want to see the CBS program? Go to http://www.cbs.com/shows/cbs_this_morning/video/Suh7xWS5Jm0FMHOwUZ6KkQy_OLFWBQ_l/faa-s-new-flight-paths-spark-noise-complaints/ (Courtesy of Graham Thorley)