An interesting story develops regarding the airspace over the Peachtree DeKalb Airport (PDK) in the Atlanta area and the people who live in the area. The story includes the usual worries about low-flying airplanes, noise, pollution, and safety for the people who live near the airport (an upscale neighborhood in this case).
For once, however, the homeowners and the airport seem to agree.
The FAA proposes to lower the bottom altitude of Class B airspace in the area to straighten the approach and departure of aircraft operating in/out of Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport (ATL). That would lower the bottom of Class B to 5,000 feet over PDK, which is one of the busiest general aviation airports in the Southeast. Many aircraft operating at PDK are jets that operate efficiently only at high altitudes and need to get up there fast. True, they should be cleared quickly to a higher altitude, but the fear is that the clearance will come slower than currently. Departing aircraft could be held down longer and landing aircraft pushed down earlier. And, any way you look at it, the plan will compress more aircraft (many of them VFR) into less airspace and that does have a bearing on safety. Efficiency and safety concern Pat Epps, Epps Aviation, PDK, as does anything that makes life more difficult for his customers. Pat would like to see the proposed altitude changes stopped.
Those with homes in the area would like it stopped too, but for different reasons. They worry about increased pollution, noise, and, of course, safety.
The push for keeping the status quo is gaining, it seems. John Heneghan, a member of the Dunwoody, GA, City Council, publishes reports in his popular Blog. WSBTV has covered the issue in some detail. Perhaps most importantly, AOPA—the most active and effective defender of general aviation airports—is actively involved.
This should be interesting!
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8 Responses to "Airport And Homeowners Agree For A Change!"
George Next–
The truth is, Atlanta desperately needs another airline airport. As I understand it, Southwest tried to go into Fulton County (or whatever they call Fulton County now) years ago and were shut out by the powers that be, which included Delta. Supposedly, Kelleher swore that Southwest would never fly in/out of ATL as long as he was in charge. Politically, I don’t know if Atlanta could ever build a new airport, unless it was a hundred or so miles away.
Thanks,
Ralph Hood
There are alternative plans that might–but probably not–satisfy your desire to remove everything from the sky except airlines. (Sorry, folks, Yankee Bob and I have been friends and have been arguing like this since the early 1970s, and I just wanted to get my digs in for a change. Truth is, I rather suspect that more often than not, his real purpose is just to rile me up.)
Ralph: ATL is already the busiest airport, and this appears to be an effort to cram more aircraft into ATL. The city, airlines,taxpayers, and passengers have already paid billions to buy out homes near ATL to provide added runways and noise proof homes and schools. Why spread the pain to PDK? Sure hope that they prevail in efforts to stop this cockamamy scheme.
Ralph,
Yes PDK is busy but how does it compare to ATL.
Don’t we want to conserve as much fuel as possible in total.Isn’t that the trade off we should be looking at.
My next question is;If these homeowners are so concerned why did they purchase homes there.ATL has been in it’s present location for quite some time.If airplanes are going to fall out of the sky on them a few thousand feet doesn’t make much difference.
I read your blog regularly but occasionally disagree with you.
Thanks, Audra–
The rest of you might want to know that Audra is my niece and lives in the area under discussion. She was the first to tip me off on this subject.
We had the same thing at UZA when CLT was proposing to shift the 1800′ ceiling by 3 miles South and over the airport. Imaging being in the traffic pattern with your tail in Class B, but the cockpit not! We were successful in arguing our case and nothing changed. Don’t know if our neighbors were appreciative of our efforts, but they certainly were concerned of what might have happened. The CLT ATC folks were great to deal with; yes, “I’m with the FAA and here to help” turned out to be true.
George Next–
The truth is, Atlanta desperately needs another airline airport. As I understand it, Southwest tried to go into Fulton County (or whatever they call Fulton County now) years ago and were shut out by the powers that be, which included Delta. Supposedly, Kelleher swore that Southwest would never fly in/out of ATL as long as he was in charge. Politically, I don’t know if Atlanta could ever build a new airport, unless it was a hundred or so miles away.
Thanks,
Ralph Hood
Yankee Bob–
There are alternative plans that might–but probably not–satisfy your desire to remove everything from the sky except airlines. (Sorry, folks, Yankee Bob and I have been friends and have been arguing like this since the early 1970s, and I just wanted to get my digs in for a change. Truth is, I rather suspect that more often than not, his real purpose is just to rile me up.)
Thanks for posting, old friend.
Ralph Hood
Ralph: ATL is already the busiest airport, and this appears to be an effort to cram more aircraft into ATL. The city, airlines,taxpayers, and passengers have already paid billions to buy out homes near ATL to provide added runways and noise proof homes and schools. Why spread the pain to PDK? Sure hope that they prevail in efforts to stop this cockamamy scheme.
Ralph,
Yes PDK is busy but how does it compare to ATL.
Don’t we want to conserve as much fuel as possible in total.Isn’t that the trade off we should be looking at.
My next question is;If these homeowners are so concerned why did they purchase homes there.ATL has been in it’s present location for quite some time.If airplanes are going to fall out of the sky on them a few thousand feet doesn’t make much difference.
I read your blog regularly but occasionally disagree with you.
Audra–
Thanks, Audra–
The rest of you might want to know that Audra is my niece and lives in the area under discussion. She was the first to tip me off on this subject.
Ralph Hood
Good article. I hope they are able to stop this from happening.
Eric–
Thanks for the info. I’ll pass it on.
Ralph Hood
Ralph,
We had the same thing at UZA when CLT was proposing to shift the 1800′ ceiling by 3 miles South and over the airport. Imaging being in the traffic pattern with your tail in Class B, but the cockpit not! We were successful in arguing our case and nothing changed. Don’t know if our neighbors were appreciative of our efforts, but they certainly were concerned of what might have happened. The CLT ATC folks were great to deal with; yes, “I’m with the FAA and here to help” turned out to be true.