A forum tonight on noise from low-flying jets

The Town-Village Aircraft Safety Noise Abatement Committee plans to host a meeting Monday to discuss concerns over low-flying planes and ways to control jet noise in communities near Kennedy and LaGuardia airports.

The meeting is scheduled at 7:30 p.m. at the Village of Lawrence Yacht and Country Club, at 101 Causeway in Lawrence. Representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey have been invited to attend.

Earlier this month, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo directed the Port Authority to study aircraft noise over Long Island and hold public hearings about the issue. Cuomo ordered the work after vetoing a bill Nov. 13 that called for the study but needed approval from New Jersey lawmakers.

Residents have also voiced concerns on a Kennedy Airport runway expansion plan that calls for the threshold -- the touchdown point -- on runway 4L/22R to be extended, by 728 feet, to meet new federal requirements for a “runway safety area.”

Noise reduction advocates have also asked the Federal Aviation Administration to exempt Kennedy and LaGuardia airports from a proposed rule that would allow the agency to change flight procedures without conducting environmental impact studies.

New procedures from implementing the NextGen satellite-based air traffic control system could mean increased noise from landings and takeoffs, and from more aircraft flying at lower altitudes, advocates have said. For more information, call TVASNAC at 516-489-5000 ext. 3562.

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