Seminole County and Sanford Residents Deserve Better
Into the future, the Sanford Airport will grow from a third tier airport into a respectably-sized regional airport. As such, it deserves to have people who have knowledge, expertise and vision at the helm. Right now, the airport noise issue has been delegated by the City of Sanford to a committee all of whom have zero or limited expertise. I was on the Sanford noise abatement Committe for a year in 2017, representing the FAA Orlando Tracon. I was also on the committee as a retired (air traffic controller and staff, Orlando Tower) volunteer recently for about a year, representing Seminole county. While on the committee, I was struck by the lack of questions or discussions over my handful of simple ideas. I realize now it was because they did not understand the flight paths or airspace constraints. Without expertise, how can you decide matters about aircraft noise? Prior to 2006, Sanford airport had a robust noise abatement program. For the last 18 years, since 2006, the committee has produced zero product: it has had no suggestions for noise abatement that have been implemented. None. It is a catch-and-kill house for noise complaints.
Things have changed. The growing needs of the Sanford airport are not just one sided: the people enduring the noise deserve consideration. The Sanford Airport noise problem and growing airspace needs should be managed and championed by people who will stand up for the needs of the citizens impacted by the airport, too, in addition to the commercial interests. These prople must be professionally capable in the areas that are pertinent. Control of these important issues needs to be taken away from the do-nothing noise abatement committee.