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Aircraft noise prompts NIMBYs into confrontation at Gamston

GAMSTON Airport is facing a crisis after local residents discovered a condition that prevents local flying schools from carrying out training.

A campaign against the airport started last summer after a non-resident flight school used the area for two weeks of intensive flying training. Since then, a small number of residents believe the disruptive flying has continued and have complained to the council about noise.

As a result of the complaints, Gamston Aviation Ltd were told earlier this year that they had been in breach of the original planning application that says flight training cannot be carried out. The company was told that it would have to apply for a 'Certificate of Lawful Use' for the flight training schools based at the airport.

Training has been going on at Gamston for over 15 years and despite arguing 'established use' as reason for having the certificate issued, Bassetlaw District Council rejected the Airport's application in September.

Richard Fidler, Principal Planner at Bassetlaw District Council told LOOP: "Flight training at Gamston Airport is prohibited under the conditions of the original planning permission granted by Bassetlaw District Council in 1987. The District Council has been aware of the concerns of some local residents regarding flight training activities at Gamston Airport for some time and will continue to consult with the operators of the airport and local residents." The council rejected the application because Gamston Aviation Ltd didn't provide irrefutable evidence that flying training had been going 'continuously' for the past ten years. Mr Fidler added: "It is possible that the operators of Gamston Airport wish to submit further evidence to support their case. At this time the Council will follow all proper procedures to fully consider this evidence." Gamston Aviation Ltd's planning adviser, Martin Bell, told the Retford Times, that they would be re-submitting the application with a 'truck load' more evidence adding, "If we are granted this certificate, flight training at Gamston will not simply explode out of all proportion despite what some residents believe."

NOISE SOURCES
NOISE. By definition it is a sound that does not carry useful information, or is a sound that the listener does not want to hear, such as the sound of aircraft flying through the air in the case of NIMBYs.
Aircraft noise is made up of engine noise, propeller noise, drag and vibrations of various parts of the aircraft.

Despite jet aircraft being louder, noise complaints received by airfields almost entirely result from light aircraft and helicopters. Most business jets or turboprops arrive and depart quickly using noise abatement routes but light piston aircraft frequently fly circuits, which can mean over-flying the same places up to ten times in one hour, at relatively low height.

Popular light piston aircraft such as the Piper PA-28 and Cirrus SR22 are up to twice as noisy as business jets such as the Cessna Citation Encore, and helicopters are even noisier.
However there are technologies available to reduce light aircraft noise:
Engine mufflers/silencers noticeably reduce the decibel levels of noise emissions
Changing the propeller from a two-blade to three or more blades can significantly reduce propeller noise
 Balancing the propeller
 Reducing turbulence
 Reducing vibrating surfaces

Oxford Airport has teamed up with CSE Aviation to encourage the use of these technologies to reduce aircraft noise and enhance fuel efficiency. The two companies are offering a number of engine and propeller upgrades and modifications at discounted costs.