LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Officials with the Federal Aviation Administration are proposing changes to how planes fly in and out of the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, or SDF, saying it could help alleviate noise problems facing those who live in the surrounding neighborhoods.
The FAA hosted two workshops last week to share its proposal to modify the airspace over SDF with the public.
Satellite-based procedures will improve traffic flow and reduce delays, FAA officials said. Ground-based navigation, the "older procedure" aircrafts currently use, limits the routes pilots can take to fixed checkpoints in the sky.
The modernized navigation system will allow aircrafts to fly in more direct routes, streamlining movement and reducing flight times, FAA officials said, which helps eliminate noise.
The proposal also addresses new arrival and departure procedures for flights.
Aircrafts arriving at SDF will use what's called optimized profile descents, allowing planes to glide as they land, using minimal power. FAA officials said this can help reduce aircraft engine noise and emissions.
Similarly, new departure procedures will help "efficiently climb aircrafts out of the airport," and allow them to fly more consistent paths to their destination.
SDF spokesperson Natalie Ciresi Chaudoin said, in a statement, the "nationwide strategy to modernize the country’s airspace system" is being wholly carried out by FAA officials, since they control the airspace.
"These improvements are aimed at Performance Based Navigation (PBN), satellite-based procedures that are more efficient and maintain safety as the number one priority," Chaudoin said, in the statement. "SDF staff appreciate the FAA taking time to engage with the local community through their public workshops, and encourage those who wish to comment on these changes to do so directly to the FAA."
Husbands Bill Fowler and Dan Fedie are hopeful after hearing of the proposal. The two have lived down the road from the airport for more than 20-years now, and just recently were phased in to the FAA's "QuieterHome" program.
"[The noise] is bothersome, yeah. If we're outside and a plane flies over, and we're talking to someone, we have to say, 'Hold on,' and let them pass," Fowler said. "I would say on a given night, depending when they're flying planes, we could see -- every five minutes -- a plane flying in."
If you weren't able to attend last week's workshops, Chaudoin said you can watch the full videos on the FAA’s YouTube channel.
The FAA is accepting comments from the public on the proposal until Dec. 22.
If you care to weigh in, you can either send an email to the FAA here, or send written comments to the following address: 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177-1524.
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