Frustrated neighbors/Centennial Airport

Continued from Page 1 important aspect of this conversation...I believe in your sincerity and the commitment that you have to your job and your safety, but I wonder if there might have been a slight overcorrection in the training updates that have been communicated to the controllers…The airport believes it was a change in the landing sequencing pattern between a parallel landing pattern to a staggered landing pattern. You’re pointing to the airport, saying it’s more flights in the pattern…We have to have somebody take ownership at one point…In that retraining, is there a way to back off of that a little bit?”

When Biassou responded to Chair Pierce, rather than Campbell-Swanson, that, “It was our understanding that we were to be receiving the public comment, as opposed to a back and forth,” and that the FAA would respond to it at a future date, CampbellSwanson interjected, “I was given permission to ask a question as a matter of privilege as an elected official.” Chair Pierce answered Campbell-Swanson, “As a former elected official myself, I’m sure all the elected officials up here (on the CACNR) have been subject to public comment,” and told her that the FAA would take the question under advisement. GV

Council Member Johnston offered to say that Campbell-Swanson’s question had come from her as a member of the CACNR, in order to get an instant response from the FAA, but Pierce moved on to public comment.

The focus of the meeting returned to the primary concern of most people present, “What can be done by the FAA to limit the number of aircraft?” The answer given was that the flight schools would have to voluntarily agree to limit the number of aircraft.

Again, the FAA made its position clear, repeating, “There’s nothing we can do on our end.

We are in the business of providing a service, not policing that kind of stuff.”

Members of the public who commented included over a dozen area residents, most of whom had spoken at previous meetings about how difficult it has been to live with the continuous activity of training flights over their neighborhood. Statements made included, “For the FAA to say there may not be a solution is infuriating,” “I feel like I’m being gaslighted,” “Most of the questions asked here are being ducked,” “I’m outraged,” “Why are these flight schools so privileged?” “You’re going to have a class action suit,” and, “I’m in therapy, our lives have become unlivable.”

As the meeting came to a close, Valencia addressed the room, saying, “I’m Michael and I’m from the FAA. I’m smarter for coming here. I know the stakes are extremely high. I’m an optimist and I know there’s a solution here. I want to thank you for letting me spend some time with you.

I’m here and I’m listening.”

The Villager asked GV Mayor George Lantz, Centennial Council Member Candace Moon, Campbell-Swanson, GV Council Member Johnston, Arapahoe County Commissioner Campbell-Swanson, and HD37 Rep. Ruby Dickson, all of whom were at the meeting, their reaction to what they heard. We received responses from Lantz, Johnston, and Moon as of press time.

Mayor Lantz told us, “I am very concerned about the FAA’s response or lack of response to citizens’ valid concerns over a 75% increase in flights over Greenwood Village. With one collision in 16 million flights (with fortunately no lives lost) the health risks and negative impact to residents associated with heavy flight traffic over both schools and homes must be considered. We are asking the FAA to return the flight patterns to those existing prior to 2021.”

Johnston said, “The FAA flat out lied and everyone knows it. They made a change to the air traffic and refuse to admit it. It was a bad decision that’s left thousands of residents of Arapahoe County with increased noise and lead pollution. They call themselves public servants and ask the public to contact them with noise complaints, but it’s a farce. They’ve made it clear their job is solely to protect the pilots and people in the air, residents be damned.”

Moon responded, “While there are some difficult issues being brought by the public, the Roundtable is serving its purpose by allowing the public a forum to be heard and learn more about the airport operations as well as the role the federal government plays in regulating air traffic. The Centennial Airport has been advocating for a modified flight path to the FAA on the public’s behalf to mitigate noise concerns related to flight patterns as well as supporting the transition to unleaded aviation fuel…It appears the flight training operators are looking internally at other changes they can make to improve the situation.” fmiklin.villager@gmail.com