SCR187

WHEREAS, Federal Aviation Administration Air Traffic Control Centers control aircraft departures and arrivals in the State of Hawaii and communicate directly with aircraft operators in the vicinity of state airports; and

WHEREAS, the health, welfare, and quality of life of Hawaii's citizens are significantly affected by frequent exposure to aircraft noise impacts from commercial jet aircraft and tour helicopter flight paths close to and over urban populations on the islands of Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, the state Department of Transportation confirms that it is willing to work with community interest groups to address aircraft noise impacts affecting communities in the vicinity of state airports, and to develop, for consideration by the Federal Aviation Administration, suggested changes to operational areas under the Department's control; and

WHEREAS, residents on the ground under and adjacent to arbitrary aircraft flight paths experience aircraft noise impacts that interfere with their daily lives at all hours of the day and night; and

WHEREAS, residents of the State have the right to quiet enjoyment of their homes; and

WHEREAS, comprehensive national research and existing local evidence disclose that aircraft noise impacts cause a multitude of negative consequences and health risks, including loss of sleep, interruption of speech, and mental stress; and

WHEREAS, aircraft noise impacts are also detrimental to the valued experience and enjoyment of Hawaii's natural and recreational resources by residents and visitors alike; and

WHEREAS, community reaction and opposition to continuing commercial jet aircraft and tour helicopter noise impacts over residential and recreation areas during the past two decades is evidence of the fact that the community warrants public protection from these impacts as these aviation uses increase; and

WHEREAS, old Stage II aircraft technology is banned from all states except Hawaii and Alaska, and in some states, several noise-critical Stage III models are restricted to certain daytime hours; and

WHEREAS, there is no process for the verification of records that tour helicopters operate in compliance with the Federal Aviation Administration's Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 71, which establishes certain procedural and operational requirements for air tour operators in the State of Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, International Civil Aviation Organization climb procedures and continuous descent approach procedures are proven effective aircraft noise abatement controls; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2008, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Federal Aviation Administration is urged to do everything within its authority in the State of Hawaii to fully implement aircraft noise abatement procedures and practices in the public interest; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Federal Aviation Administration and its air traffic control centers are requested to work with the state Department of Transportation and community representatives to establish aircraft operating procedures and air traffic patterns to reduce and control the effect of aircraft noise impact on communities within the proximity of airports and aircraft flight paths in the State; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature requests that aircraft operating procedures and air traffic patterns reduce and control the effect of aircraft noise impact on communities within the proximity of airports and aircraft flight paths to include, but not be limited to, the following:

(1) Effective noise abatement departure profiles combined with preferential runway use selections and flight path techniques;

(2) Effective noise abatement departure and arrival flight paths vectored over water; and

(3) Effective noise abatement altitudes and climb and descent procedures for commercial jet aircraft; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Federal Aviation Administration is requested to work with the state Department of Transportation to establish a process for recorded verification that tour helicopters operate in compliance with Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 71, and Special Operating Rules for Air Tour Operators in the State of Hawaii, Sections 6(a) and (b); and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, the Honolulu Flight Standards District Office, the Honolulu Air Traffic Control Center, the Director of Transportation, and the members of Hawaii's congressional delegation.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Reduction and Control of Aircraft Noise; FAA; DOT

THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	187
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII