HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-11-15-HFA-minHanscom Field Advisory Commission
Minutes — November 15, 2011
Prepared by Massport Staff
1. November Meeting: The meeting was called to order by Jeanne Krieger. There were a
few comments and corrections to the October meeting minutes; Massport noted the
corrections and then the group approved the minutes.
2. 2010 Annual Noise Report: Sharon Williams presented the 2010 Hanscom Noise Report
and in response to questions noted:
• Massport uses data in the EXP system for the monthly noise report as well as reports like
the ESPR and annual noise report. Data is reviewed annually by HMMH. EXP was
developed specifically for Hanscom from recommendations of community and aviation
representatives. HFAC Chair J. Krieger noted that for general aviation airports, Massport
provides exceptional operational and noise data to the public.
• Massport publishes operational projections in the ESPR. The next scheduled ESPR will
start in 2012-.
• The 2010 Annual Noise report will be posted on Massport's website.
• The civilian departure noise exposure for 2010 was 109.2 dB, which was the same as
2009. 2009 and 2010 have the lowest civilian departure noise exposure of all the study
years, starting in 1978.
• Massport is awaiting proposed federal legislation to phase out all Stage 2 aircraft. The
recent FAA reauthorization bill process has delayed any movement in the phase out of
Stage 2 aircraft.
• While military flights represented only one percent of the total activity, they
generated 43 percent of the total departure noise exposure (noise energy). Andy
Applegate from the FAA Tower at Hanscom talked about the reauthorization bill and
how it affects air traffic and airport improvement funding.
3. New EXP Presentation: Brad Nicholas of HMMH, consultants in noise and vibration
control, airport and airspace planning, environmental consulting, and air quality, briefed
the group on the new EXP software system developed by them for Hanscom and
in response to questions noted that:
• The new EXP system used the same formulas and calculations as the old system.
• The largest variance when side by side testing was performed was 0.5 dB; and this was
found on a monthly comparison from the old system to the new system. This variance is
not significant when comparing annual data.
• The new EXP system allows for editing of night flights, military operations and enables
the user to import data from different sources. The primary data source is from the
airport's Noise Operations and Monitoring System (NOMS), which uses radar data.
• EXP shows a general noise picture of the whole airport; the system does not focus on one
signal spot on the airfield.
4. Monthly Noise Report/ Hanscom Projects: Sharon Williams presented the September
and October noise reports and in response to questions noted that:
• The economy is a driving factor in fluctuations in jet activity at Hanscom. There has been
a recent decrease in charter activity, primarily due to the National Basketball Assoc.
lockout. There are about 300 charter operations at Hanscom annually, according to Jim
Phelps of Signature.
• The noise office conducted side by side testing with the new and old EXP software for
the consecutive months of November /December 2010 and January, February and October
2011.
• The noise office responds to all noise disturbance reports within 7 to 14 days of receiving
them.
5. Capital Program and Third Party Development Reports: Dorothy Steele presented
the reports and in response to questions noted that:
• Massport does not know how many parties are interested in the Hangar 24 RFP as the
deadline for submission is currently scheduled for November 30, 2011. The two existing
FBOs at Hanscom attended the pre- submission conference.
• Massport has no specific plan for the Navy parcel, but is interested in the land to preserve
it for future aviation use. The Navy is responsible for any remediation until it is turned
over to a third party. Massport understands that the Town of Bedford may be interested in
the upper portion of this Navy parcel.
• Massport develops a five year capital projects plan and reports it to HFAC in the annual
State of Hanscom. Updates to the projects are communicated to HFAC monthly.
• Streamline has not informed Massport about adding flights, specifically a possible
Florida route.
• There have been no discussions with cargo or commercial air operators.
6. Other Business: J. Krieger read a note from Lincoln resident Gary Davis to the group.
The note expressed concern regarding night flights at Hanscom. Massport staff reposnded
that they have not received any noise complaint calls from Mr. Davis recently and could
not respond to his comments without additional information.
The next meeting is scheduled for December 20, 2011.
Attendees: HFAC members: Chair Jeanne Krieger, Jim Phelps, Andy Friedlich, Dee Ortner, Elise
Woodward, Mark Siegenthaler, Kati Winchell and Andy Applegate; Brad Nicholas, HMMH, and
Massport representatives Dorothy Steele, Cedric Daniel, Sharon Williams,