A spokesman at Joint Base Lewis-McChord said Friday that the base was
remiss in not informing residents of a major change in air routes that
has resulted in dozens of public complaints about helicopter noise this
month.
More than 50 residents living south of the base have
lodged complaints since the first week of July, when helicopters began
flying outside Lewis-McChord for the first time to reach training areas.
Neighbors
say the aircraft are flying too often, too low and too late, rattling
windows as well as nerves and interrupting sleep.
“We should have
done a lot better in notifying our communities that we are going to
begin flying these new routes, especially because they were off the
installation,” said Joe Piek, the base spokesman.
As a result of the complaints, the base commander is deciding
whether to adjust the air routes or increase the altitude of the
helicopters that fly them. It’s uncertain when he will make that
decision.
A base official said the heavy traffic is expected to
drop off in a month anyway as aviators finish getting familiar with the
new routes.
Read more here: http://www.thenewstribune.com
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment