Planes are flying too low, say residents – but Bournemouth Airport say flight path hasn’t changed
Bournemouth Airport says its flight paths are ‘set in stone’ and have not changed in any way,. But some West Parley residents complained of low flying aircraft, and believe the planes flying over their homes are lower than they were before. People have complained to local officials about ‘changed flight paths’ at the airport, also believe noisier aircraft are flying late at night. The airport’s managing director said there are no changes to the ILS for landings, or the times planes fly and “The last commercial aircraft comes in around 2300, sometimes a little bit later, but that is it.” A local councillor said: “Some of these planes are operating on the red eye flights and late at night, and one or two of the planes, in particular, are considered to be considerably noisier than normal flights. If this is the case, then it is quite antisocial for people living nearby.” At other airports there has been a problem of terminology. Airports and the air traffic control services have their own definitions of what “change” is. That does not include changes to flight mix, changes to times of day, heights, or how accurately planes follow a flight path. What residents who are overflown consider change is often not considered significant by the industry.
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Planes are flying too low, say residents – but Bournemouth Airport bosses say flightpath hasn’t changed
9.8.2017 (Daily Echo)
FLIGHT paths at Bournemouth Airport are ‘set in stone’ and have not changed in anyway, airport bosses say.
Paul Knight, managing director of Bournemouth Airport, told the Echo no flight path changes have taken place after some West Parley residents complained of low flying aircraft.
Residents believe a number of aircraft are now flying over nearby houses lower than ever before.
Neighbours, who have complained to local officials about ‘changed flight paths’ at the airport, also believe noisier aircraft are flying late at night.
However, Mr Knight said: “There have been no changes to the flight paths anywhere around the airport at all, no changes at all. The last commercial aircraft comes in around 2300, sometimes a little bit later, but that is it.
“With regards to flight paths, approaches on the ILS – which is the one close to Parley – are set in stone, and they’ve been set in stone for many, many years.”
ILS, or instrument landing system, is a ground-based system enabling aircraft to land if pilots are unable to see the runway in instances of bad weather.
East Dorset District Council’s Parley ward member, Cllr Andrew Parry, said: “I’ve received a number of reports from residents.
“Their belief is that planes have changed their flight paths to fly at low levels across residential areas in West Parley.
“Some of these planes are operating on the red eye flights and late at night, and one or two of the planes, in particular, are considered to be considerably noisier than normal flights.
“If this is the case, then it is quite antisocial for people living nearby.”
Now the councillor says he’s working to establish whether or not flight paths have changed in any way, and if they have, why? New Road resident Anne Torrens, 74, said the planes always seemed to fly low over New Road towards the airport.
She said: “It’s a bit disconcerting but what is more of a pain is the noise. There definitely seems to be more planes flying at unsociable times.” Meanwhile neighbour Carol Wilkins said the noise was a “problem”.
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