Welcome to nsbairportnoise.com
After its historical service during World War II, New Smyrna Beach Municipal Airport became a small general aviation airport. A courtesy to residents and visitors, it added another dimension to the local charm of the City of New Smyrna Beach. It was a good thing!
But the City allowed changes over the years resulting in recent airport operations (takeoffs and landings) at historically high levels.1 But ironically the taxpaying residents of New Smyrna Beach have not been the cause of this growth. Only a small minority of current airport activities are business or personal flights by residents and visitors. Over 80% of current takeoffs and landings are training flights for students from a variety of countries.2
Flight schools Epic Aviation, Phoenix East Aviation, and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University account for the majority of the training flights. Directly or indirectly, these flight schools make money on each training flight. Some of the schools charge approximately $50,000 per student for a typical 6 to 8 month program.3 But while each takeoff and landing causes wear and tear on our taxpayer funded runways, it is surprising that our airport does not charge them landing fees.
The recent increase in airport operations and the frequency of the pilot training activities have ruined the quality of life for those residents affected by the airport. Depending on which Airport Advisory Meeting you cite, residences negatively affected by the airport include those within either a 2 mile4 or 3 mile radius.5
Some people are apparently very scared that this website is advocating closure of the airport. We are not advocating closure of the airport! As you will see throughout this website, we are merely asking that runway number 11-29 remain at its present length, that flight schools comply with existing restrictions, and that the airport return to its historical past -- being financially self sufficient rather than relying upon government grants and tax dollars.
Beginning in 2001, our airport began an aggressive growth campaign by applying for and accepting federal and state grants. These grants are used for projects such as the new air traffic control tower and runway lighting. But the grants have a dark side. In accepting grants, the airport relinquished absolute control over takeoffs and landings.6 That opened the door for flight schools to use our runways anytime they wish. And they do! Local taxpaying residents experience the noise, hazard, and reduced property values.
In the case of the air traffic control tower grant, the FAA currently pays 100% of the annual costs for the Air Traffic Controllers. But in the future (unless the number of takeoffs and landings meet certain minimums) our airport will have to pay at least a portion of these costs7 -- money our airport does not have. So at the present time, airport management is motivated to encourage flight school operations -- much to the dismay of those residents living within the 3 mile circumference.
The City has an existing Airport Master Plan Update which would lengthen runway number 11-29 by 1,400 feet and further expand airport operations to allow large aircraft.8 This includes twin engine turbo prop and jet aircraft. It will possibly become even more noisy, very busy, and potentially dangerous. At the January 16, 2008 Airport Advisory Board (AAB) meeting, chairman Robert Perry addressed this extension and stated that for various reasons, it would never become a reality. Nevertheless, the runway extension remains clearly documented in the Airport Master Plan. Many concerned residents prefer that this issue be settled by simply removing the extension from the Master Plan.
The current Airport Master Plan Update includes spending over $19 million to accomplish the runway extension and other projects. The Federal government is to provide $10.4 million, Florida $5.6 million, and Local (New Smyrna Beach General Fund?) over $3 million.9
Do New Smyrna Beach taxpayers know about this? And are they willing to spend over $3 million to benefit so few at the airport while budget cuts are being made in the areas of police, fire protection, and schools?
As noted above on July 19, 2006, the Airport Advisory Board acknowledged a noise zone extending out 3 miles from the airport. The board wanted all future real estate transactions within this area to include a noise notification letter to the buyer. The 3 mile circumference includes New Smyrna Beach, Ponce Inlet, Port Orange, and unincorporated Volusia County. The area presently contains 14,606 residential properties with a just value of $4,499,115,947 and a taxable value of $3,038,250,803.10 That's over 3 billion dollars of taxable value adversely affected by the airport. Many of these taxpayers could request their real estate taxes be lowered as a result of living within the noise zone.
If our airport continues toward its capacity of 98 takeoffs or landings per hour,11 our communities will most likely loose the charm.
As written, the current Airport Master Plan runway extension would involve destruction of trees including those along South Street.12 There are storm water issues into Turnbull Bay, part of the Spruce Creek system, an Outstanding Florida Water. There are issues with nearby American Bald Eagle nests and other wildlife. Nearby residences may need to have special sound insulation. And the extended runway likely would result in regular flights at a very low level directly over US Route 1.
Declining property values . . Noise . . Stormwater Runoff . . Safety Concerns . .
These seem to be inconsistent with New Smyrna Beach’s motto: “CATCH THE CHARM!”
Please read this web site for detailed facts.
References:
1 Air Traffic Control Tower Chief's presentation to the October 17, 2007 Airport Advisory Board meeting.
2 Ibid.
3 Epic Aviation's website, Phoenix East Aviation's website
4 Minutes of the Airport Advisory Board Meeting, October 18, 2006.
5 Minutes of the Airport Advisory Board Meeting, July 19, 2006.
6 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Grant Assurances available online at the FAA website.
7 "Benefit-Cost Ratio" calculation found in Report # FAA-APO-90-7 "Establishment and Discontinuance Criteria For Airport Traffic Control Towers," Federal Aviation Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation.
8 New Smyrna Beach Municipal Airport Master Plan update prepared by Hoyle, Tanner, and Associates, Inc. and accepted by the FAA on May 6, 2005, pages 4-2 through 4-6, hereinafter cited as Airport Master Plan, now available online.
9 Airport Master Plan, page 7-2.
10 Custom report using the current year tax roll prepared by the Volusia County Property Appraiser's office.
11 Airport Master Plan, page 3-2.
12 Airport Master Plan, Drawing 5, Sheet 5 of 9.