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Excessive Noise Related to Aircraft Operations at Marine Corps Base

Hawaii (MCBH)

Presented by the

Windward Coalition

January 2013

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• Hundreds of citizens from Windward neighborhoods. 14 member executive committee.

• Goal of maintaining and improving the living conditions of Windward Oahu residents with most recent focus on noise from MCBH.

• Very supportive of the Marine Corps and MCBH personnel.

• Many members former military. Several members military and civilian aviators.

• Versed in base & aircraft operations, federal laws and military directives on environmental protection and noise pollution.

• Active for 12+ months documenting and informing MCBH leadership and elected officials to address concerns.

What Is The Windward Coalition?

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• Launched in late 2012, 400+ responses thus far

The Windward Coalition Online Survey

• Aircraft frequently fly near/directly over their homes – 73%

• Homes shake/vibrate when aircraft fly over – 60%

• Noise adversely affecting quality of life – 65%

• Other concerns: impacts to early childhood education, aircraft-related pollution, negative impact on household pets

• Household members have experienced sleep disturbances from aircraft noise – 53%

• Are concerned about safety issues with current and future aircraft – 66%

• Kaneohe Bay and Windward Oahu are not suitable locations for planned increases in aircraft operations – 63%

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• A continuing, increasing and unacceptable level of aircraft noise and pollution tied to MCBH aircraft operations.

What Are Our General Concerns?

• Lack of aircraft compliance with MCBH documented air operations policies and procedures.

• Lack of MCBH recognition, response or remediation to these issues.

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• Issue #1: Excessive noise in Aikahi and Kaimalino from helicopters transiting to/from MCBH.

• Issue #2: Excessive noise on east side of Kaneohe Bay from MCBH helicopters.

• Issue #3: Excessive noise on south & southwest side of Kaneohe Bay from MCBH Runway 04 traffic.

• Issue #4: Excessive noise and pollution from engine run-ups, testing and hover checks.

• Issue #5: Excessive noise and impacts to recreational use of Kaneohe Bay caused by aircraft training in Kaneohe Bay.

CH-53

UH-1

CH-47

P-3

C-17

U-60

What Are Our Specific Concerns?

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• Prescribed flight profiles for arriving and departing an airfield.

• To manage safety, efficiency, noise abatement and other factors. Developed in conjunction with civilian authorities (i.e. FAA).

• Required for compliance with NEPA, Air Installation Compatible Use Zone Guide and DoD/DoN directives.

• Routinely established at military and civilian airports. Pilots risk sanctions for failing to comply.

• Variances allowed in an emergency, for safety, or with prior permission from air traffic controllers.

What Are Military Airfield Arrival and Departure Procedures?

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• Not instructed by air traffic controllers to follow procedures

• Procedures not understood

• Not policed by air traffic controllers or base leadership

• No penalty for not complying

• Not a priority

• Don’t care

Why Don’t Pilots Comply With Documented Procedures at MCBH?

Documented and Approved Route: Flight should be from H3 gate, over north side of Nuupia Ponds and outbound from MCBH at 800 feet.

Issue #1: Excessive Noise in Aikahi and Kaimalino: Aircraft are flying on south side of Nuupia Ponds outbound from MCBH well below 800 feet.

MCBH Documented and Approved Route Common Route – Not Documented or Approved

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Excessive Noise From Helicopters Outbound From MCBH

Helicopter landing area 101

Excessive Noise From Aircraft Inbound To MCBH

MCBH Documented and Approved Route Common Route - Not Documented Nor Approved

Documented and Approved Route: Flight should be on north side of Nuupia Ponds inbound to MCBH at 600 foot altitude with descent and landing clear of Kaneohe Bay Drive residents.

Issue #1: Excessive Noise in Aikahi and Kaimalino: Aircraft are flying on south side of Nuupia Ponds inbound to MCBH well below 600 foot altitude.Issue #2: Excessive Noise Over

Eastern Kaneohe Bay: Aircraft are descending & turning over Kaneohe Bay Drive residents.

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Helicopter landing area 101

MCBH Documented and Approved Route Common Route - Not Documented Nor Approved

Excessive Noise From Runway 04 Traffic Pattern

Issue #3: Excessive Noise From Runway 04 Traffic: Aircraft are extending downwind and base legs flying over civilian population and Coconut Island.

Documented and Approved Route: Turn base to final approach inside of Coconut Island.

Runway 04

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Issue #4: Noise & Pollution From Engine Run-Ups and Testing: Current location and 24/7 hour operations create maximum noise and pollution for civilian population.

Excessive Noise From Engine Run-Ups, Testing & Hover ChecksProposed location & hours: Runway 04 run-up area facing heading 040 to 090 limited to 0800-1800 hours. Longer term solution also includes adding blast fence.

Proposed location and hours: North end of base facing heading 040 limited to 0800-1800 hours.

Proposed

Current

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Issue #4: Noise & Pollution From Engine Run-Ups, Testing and Hover Checks: Pad 101 location, duration and 24/7 operations of hover checks create maximum noise and pollution for civilian population and is specifically prohibited under MCBH policy.

Excessive Noise From Engine Run-Ups, Testing & Hover Checks

Proposed

Current

Proposed locations & hours: Hover checks to be conducted at mid-field helipads between 0800-1800 hours.

Proposed: Hover checks to be conducted at other helipads only due to operational necessity and only between 0800-1800 hours.

Proposed: Hover checks at Pad 101 permanently eliminated.

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Issue #5: Aircraft train over water south of MCBH: Maximizes noise and restriction of public recreational use of Kaneohe Bay.

Proposed operation: Decreases noise for civilian population and enhances public recreational use of Kaneohe Bay

Excessive Noise and Impacted Public Access to Kaneohe Bay

Proposed

Current

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Windward Coalition Actions

• Calls to MCBH, FAA and other agencies regarding aircraft noise

• Letter from Hawaii’s local legislators to Hawaii congressional delegation requesting investigation

• Public awareness advertising

• Online survey

• Letters to MCBH leadership

• Copies of letters to MCBH senior echelons and legislators

• Letters and outreach to local legislators

• Letters and outreach to federal legislators

• Letter to General, Marine Forces Pacific

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1. Tenant and transient aircraft to adhere to published directives

2. Modification of engine run-up, testing and hover check policies

3. Modification of Kaneohe Bay over-water helicopter training location

4. Sanctions for tenant and transient aircraft not following approved procedures

5. Sanctions for air traffic controllers not enforcing approved procedures

6. Periodic joint review of noise issues by MCBH leadership and Windward Coalition board

7. Joint consultation and review of changes to aircraft operating policies by MCBH and Windward Coalition board

Primary Goals: Straight-forward solutions that do not compromise MCBH mission readiness, training objectives, safety or efficiency while improving the quality of life for

MCBH neighbors.

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Thank You!