advertisement

Chicago Executive Airport considering new departure route to fix noise problem

Chicago Executive Airport officials are considering implementing a new route for departing planes that would send aircrafts over a more industrial and commercial part of Wheeling instead of the current route which takes planes over a residential part of the village.

The proposed six-month trial of the new departure route, which would be implemented Monday through Friday from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., comes from an airport noise study and at the urging of the airport's Noise Committee.

When pilots leave the airport on runway 34, they depart to the north at 340 degrees on a compass. The new proposal would require pilots to make a left turn to 310 degrees as soon as possible after takeoff.

Aircraft would stay on that trajectory for two minutes before continuing on their course.

"It will divert departures away from residential areas and over more industrial and commercial areas," CEA Executive Director Jamie Abbott said.

Abbott says the airport is waiting for approval from the Federal Aviation Administration before implementing the trial period.

"Then, if it's successful, we'll try to make it permanent," Abbott said.

The proposal would not change the route planes take in arriving at the airport.

While the proposed plan comes out of a study published six years ago, Abbott says the board has just recently decided to focus on noise issues.

He adds the airport started tackling noise abatement by forming the Airport Noise Committee last year.

Abbott predicts most pilots will be on board with the trial procedure.

"Most pilots tend to be receptive to these procedures and want to work with communities," Abbott said.

An update on the proposal will be given at Wednesday's Airport Noise Committee meeting. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. at Chicago Executive Airport, 1020 S. Plant Road.

Noise monitors coming to Chicago Executive Airport?

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.