Community Group Talks Gabreski Airport Traffic, Noise — Solutions

WESTHAMPTON BEACH, NY — A group of community members gathered Thursday night to discuss issues, including noise and traffic concerns, centering on Francis S. Gabreski Airport, which has seen an uptick in activity since the pandemic has brought an influx to the East End in recent months.

In February 2021, Suffolk County Legislator Bridget Fleming sponsored a resolution reconstituting the Gabreski Airport Community Advisory Board, "for a new, limited purpose . . . with the primary objective of enhancing safety at the airport, acceptance of the airport by the neighboring community, and improvement of the airport’s responsiveness to its neighboring communities," the measure said.

Due to the pandemic, the resolution said, there have been changes in the demographics surrounding the airport and in the uses of the airport; and local communities surrounding the airport recently expressed concerns regarding traffic and noise.

To that end, the resolution said it would be valuable to review conditions and current communication to make recommendations and enhance community outreach and dialogue.

The work of the original Gabreski Airport community advisory board resulted in the creation of two subcommittees, the Gabreski noise mitigation work group, which has met regularly since its creation, and the Gabreski Airport conservation and assessment committee, which has met on an as needed basis.

On Thursday, the third of four scheduled meetings for the Gabreski Airport CAB was held at Maxine S. Postal legislative auditorium in Riverside. A group gathered and spoke with a representative of the Federal Aviation Administration representative, who called in to address the group. Fleming and Suffolk County Legislator Al Krupski prepared questions for the FAA.

On Friday, Rick Breitenfeldt, FAA spokesperson, addressed the questions and responses that were discussed Thursday night.

The first question centered on what limits can Suffolk County impose on Gabreski Airport, as an airport under Suffolk County jurisdiction.

"Gabreski Airport is a public use, federally-obligated — i.e., subject to statutory grant assurances as a recipient of federal grants-in-aid for airport development— airport in the United States’ National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems," Breitenfeldt said. "Therefore, any proposal to limit aviation activity is subject to regulation through 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 161, Notice and Approval of Airport Noise and Access Restrictions.”

To learn more about the regulations, click here.

When asked if noise abatement might be considered with meaningful measures, including fewer landings; alternative routes; higher altitudes; regulation of airport operating hours; and determining the runways that have the least impact on surrounding communities and prioritize them for use, Brieitenfeldt said: "Safety is the primary consideration when designating airspace, designing procedures, and guiding air traffic."

At the meeting Thursday, one resident reported that the FAA said it might be possible to look at utilizing the runways with the least impact.

Breitenfeldt added that it is also important to note that the way aircraft operate in controlled airspace is distinct from restricting access to an airport.

"Regarding alternative routes and higher altitudes, airport sponsors such as Suffolk County, as sponsor of Gabreski Airport, often work with FAA air traffic to discuss how air traffic arrives in and departs from the airport environment."

When asked what steps Suffolk County can take to limit cargo and freight flights, Breitenfeldt said limiting, or restricting, airport access is also subject to Part 161.

And, when asked about reviewing the rate structure for landings, Breitenfeldt said: "As provided in FAA’s policy regarding airport rates and charges — published in the federal register as 78 FR 55330 — rates, fees, rentals, landing fees, and other service charges imposed on aeronautical users for the aeronautical use of the airport must be fair and reasonable. Absent agreement with aeronautical users, an airport proprietor cannot establish fees for the use of the airfield that exceed the airport proprietor’s airfield costs."

Additional information on the rate structure is available here, the FAA said.

After the meetings, both residents and elected officials said they welcomed the communications with the FAA and the chance to discuss concerns.

A representative for Fleming said, after the session: "It was a good meeting and it encouraged a more open communication between the airport and the FAA."

The next meeting date for the Gabreski Airport Community Advisory Board will be held Wednesday, April 6 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.