Resident questions flight patterns

Emerald Harbor resident and retired Navy pilot Andrew Aitken has officials at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport paying attention.

On Jan. 24, the Longboat Key resident made a presentation to the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority Board and explained that he believes pilots are not following protocol as they approach the airport.
Aitken, a Longboat Key Code Enforcement Board member, said that he has reviewed the airport’s flight data and uncovered that pilots are not following procedures, particularly near the north end of the Key.

Pilots cleared for takeoff on Runway 32, the airport’s most western runway, Aitken said, must fly west for a minimum of seven miles before beginning a turn toward their destination.

But Aitken has noticed that aircrafts with a northern destination to places such as Atlanta, are beginning their turn at between three and four miles, which takes them over the north end of Longboat Key.

“This occurs during the climb-out phase of flight when the most noise is emitted,” Aitken said. “Planes are turning at or before they get to the Key and flying right over Gulf of Mexico Drive.”

Following Aitken’s presentation, it was determined that Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport CEO Fred Piccolo should review compliance with noise-abatement procedures.

Aitken, a former Navy pilot from 1967 to 1972, asked to be a part of that review, and Piccolo has agreed to fill in Aitken once the review is over.

In a Feb. 23 e-mail to Commissioner David Brenner and Aitken, Piccolo explained that airport staff has been directed to return to its next board meeting April 18 with a presentation on compliance with flight patterns relating to noise concerns.

“Staff will check if it is true that Tampa Departure Control is turning the pilots early as stated by Mr. Aitken,” Piccolo wrote in his e-mail. “To that end I am having our Environmental Affairs Office review the flight-tracking data, and I have also requested a meeting with the (Sarasota-Bradenton) Air Traffic Control Tower manager to seek his input as well.”

Piccolo assured Brenner and Aitken that once the airport completes its review, Aitken would be invited to the airport to review and discuss his concerns before the April 18 meeting is scheduled.

Kwy airplane issues arise
Andrew Aitken is not the first Longboat Key resident to question flight patterns near the island.

In November 1985, 200 Key residents attended a public meeting and complained of noisy planes that were gaining altitude over the north end of the Key, instead of out in the Gulf of Mexico as directed. They also suggested the airport should be moved closer to I-75.

In the mid-’90s, the town was criticized for spending $400,000 in legal fees to try and re-route flight patterns away from mid-Key after residents complained of the noise.
— Dora Walters

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected]