AURORA — Sometimes the noise from airplanes flying into and out of Centennial Airport is so bad, say David and Marianne Legg, they can’t hear each other talk when they’re out in the yard of their south Aurora home.
“You have to stop the conversation,” said Marianne Legg, who has lived on East Temple Place for six years.
And things could get worse for the Leggs and others in Aurora who live just east of Cherry Creek State Park.
The FAA’s “record of approval” for Centennial Airport’s Noise Compatibility Program, which will be released to the public soon, includes several proposals to reroute aircraft.
Some of those proposals will be implemented immediately, while others will be studied and additional public input will be sought before final decisions are made.
Of the 12 proposals made by the airport, the Federal Aviation Administration endorsed several, including rerouting planes on takeoff slightly to the east of current paths over Cherry Creek Reservoir at night. That would mean planes would be flying closer to Aurora and almost directly over homes such as the Leggs’.
“We have communities that may be subjected to additional noise,” said Karen Hancock, airport noise coordinator for Aurora. “Further study is warranted. We are going to be watching very carefully.”
The FAA approved the airport’s recommendation to move the flight paths to the east on a voluntary basis, subject to weather, from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. A final decision will be made after environmental studies are complete.
“The airport authority believes this approach would help reduce aircraft at low altitudes over residential developments and not impact individuals using the park during daylight hours,” the FAA said in a statement.
The FAA removed the option of planes departing and landing at night from the south — good news for areas such as Douglas County — although that option was hardly used.
And by pushing the flight path over Cherry Creek farther to the east, it means those flights will be moved away from Greenwood Village.
The FAA also rejected a provision to ban the loudest jets from landing at Centennial. That approval is pending submission of additional information and further analysis for the jets, including public input.
Mike Fronapfel, manager of planning and development for Centennial Airport, said one measure that was approved will help monitor noise and allow the airport to make adjustments. The noise-monitoring system will consist of several stations in different areas, to be used in studying flight paths and plane noise through a more sophisticated system.
