HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-01-18-HFAC-min
Hanscom Field Advisory Commission
Minutes – 18 January 2022
Prepared by Massport Staff
Video of HFAC Meeting can be found on the BEDFORD TV YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpGZoHgJ7H08Lcm7aj90Gfw
Call to Order: HFAC Chairman Christopher Eliot called the meeting to order at 7:01pm
Announcements:
Chairman Eliot recording HFAC Meeting; welcomed all to 18 Jan meeting pursuant to Chapter 20 of Acts of 2021
Chairman Eliot informed HFAC that Emily Mitchell has conflicting Select Board meeting.
Discussion of Chapter 7: Noise of the ESPR; will complete the discussion on the ESPR
Chairman Eliot confirmed the seller and inventor of Airnoise will speak at the February HFAC meeting
Chairman Eliot started meeting with discussion of the 5G implementation and impacts to aviation
o Amber Goodspeed noted that Massport has instructed tenants to check NOTAMs for updates and FAA is
managing this topic
o Chris Boles asked what fraction of Hanscom aircraft are affected by 5G, stated desire to use 5G at his residence
and discussed aircraft that he understands as more problematic; fraction is not known
o Thomas Hirsch expounded on 5G upgrade; interference due to C band and radar altimeter frequencies very close
o Emily Mitchell added Bedford has procedures in place that require permission to add 5G; Bedford has not
received any applications to add 5G
Mike Vatalaro announced that he will meet with a new temporary FAA representative on 19 January
Chairman Eliot queried about the GAMI fuel rollout timeline; no definitive update seen by Massport
Minutes: The December 2021 Meeting Minutes were reviewed for approval
The December 2021 Meeting Minutes were approved unanimously with no amendments
Cargo or Scheduled Commercial Passenger Services
Amber Goodspeed responded there were no requests for scheduled passenger or cargo operations
Chairman Eliot asked additional question, “To the best of your knowledge, have there been any new carriers
offering on demand charter service?”
o Amber Goodspeed stated no one is required to ask Massport for permission to run general aviation services at the
general aviation airport
Agenda Items: Topics discussed on published agenda:
Chairman Eliot discussed Chapter 7: Noise of the ESPR
o Examined definition of sound and sound levels in decibels
o Reviewed airport specific terms, acceptance of DNL, AEDT, DNL noise contours and noise impacts on health
o Barbara Katzenberg commented on how physical characteristic are represented to account for public perception
o Patty Dahlgren asked about buffers to help those who abut the airfield
Amber Goodspeed presented the Hanscom Field 2020 Annual Noise report
o Reviewed chapters highlighting operational numbers, nighttime operations, departure noise exposure and noise
abatement policy and noise calls to Massport and DNL levels; report is posted on the Massport website. There
were record lows in 2020 for operations and noise.
Monthly Noise Reports: Amber Goodspeed presented the December Report and noted that:
In December 2021 as compared to December 2020:
7am - 11pm operations increased 4.6% in December 2021
Singles (including touch and goes) increased 11.7% in December 2021
Turbo activity increased 9.1% in December 2021
Jet operations increased 29.8% in December 2021
Helicopter activity increased 11.1% in December 2021
Night Operations (11pm-7am) increased from 111 in December 2020 to 171 in December 2021, a 54.1% increase
Calendar year to date operations are down 3.2% in 2021 compared to 2019
Chairman Eliot asked again to list aircraft for complaints: Amber Goodspeed indicated that capability not available
Chairman Eliot asked to add clarification on Page 6 data
Capital Programs and Third Party Development Reports: Amber Goodspeed presented the Capital Programs and
Third Party Development reports and noted that:
No changes to the open projects
Citizen Comments: Citizens commented on and/or asked about the following topics:
Christopher Boles asked about how touch and go tracks are incorporated into DNL projections
Jennifer Boles queried about inclusion of run-ups in the AEDT model
Jennifer Boles asked about potential two mile radius around Hanscom Field in regards to 5G
Julie Turner queried about why Hanscom Field was on FAA Airports with 5G buffer list
Other Business: The proposed date for the next HFAC meeting is 15 February 2022 at 7:00 p.m.
Chris McCann, the inventor of the Airnoise button, scheduled to give 20 minute talk at Feb HFAC
Amy McCoy suggested Quiet Communities speak to HFAC on the health impacts of noise at a future HFAC
meeting
Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 7:49 p.m.
Attendees: Christopher Eliot, Margaret Coppe, Barbara Katzenberg, Thomas Hirsch, Emily Mitchell, Amber Goodspeed,
Michael Vatalaro, Mark Wimmer, Chris Boles, Jennifer Boles, Patty Dahlgren, Lexie Marshall, Julie McCay Turner, Amy
McCoy, Meredith McCulloch, Ross Perry, Kathryn Rifkin and Devan Wiebe