New Smyrna Beach Airport Changes

Billboard Proclaims "Noise Smyrna Beach"
By Becky Hill, NSBCAN

A new billboard on US1 contrasts the city that acclaims its unique charm.
                                                        
     The advertisement reflects a great issue: repetitive flight-school training over New Smyrna Beach (NSB). Training is at low altitude, aircraft often 30 seconds apart. Some 22 flight schools use the airport at no cost. New Smyrna Beach Citizens Against Noise(NSBCAN)sponsors the billboard to draw attention to the growing problem.

     According to air traffic control, 200,000 operations would be reached in 2008--comparable to the nation's 50 busiest airports: http://www.faa.gov/news/updates/busiest_airports/.

It compares to five international airports, to cities with populations of half a million. NSB's population is 23,000.

     The nuisance noise is not confined to neighborhoods adjacent the airport. Frequent complaints range from beach side to Sugar Mill. In Oct. 2006, the Airport Advisory Board recognized the need for noise disclosure in a two-mile radius of the airport (unanimous vote) in real estate sale contracts. Frank Bird Gummey, city attorney, countermanded it (July 2007).

     The problem began with the tower, in 2004. NSBCAN, neighborhood groups and individuals have attempted since to work with the city commission. Now five years, there is no relief from the nuisance noise and diminished quality of life.   

      The City's response to the billboard will be the FAA noise study. Unfortunately, it takes two years.  Study recommendations  are voluntary on the part of the flight schools. Such has been tried for years.

      Additionally, the City may voice concern the billboard is damaging to NSB's image.  NSBCAN's response,  "the billboard is merely the symptom of much larger problems."  Currently, many homeowners are unaware that Florida law requires disclosure
of off-site defects when selling a property (Ribak v. Centex).  Not doing so could invite litigation against seller and realtor. 

     Regarding noise, Mayor Mackay stated, "There is only so much a local government can do. This is the time for the people to petition Washington".

     This is not true. NSBCAN, on several occasions, has documented what can be done locally with Federal Aviation Administration support. One example, landing fees could generate $2 million a year allowing the City eventual control of its own airport.  Although    Mayor Mackay's recent efforts are to be applauded, aggressive action must be taken on the local level.

      The issue has been debated  for half a decade, only token effort has focused on solutions. Past attention to this festering issue by the city commission indicates that it is not taken seriously.

     NSBCAN hopes that the billboard and the organization's forthcoming legal initiative will reclaim the lost charm of New Smyrna Beach.