ThisWeek Community Newspapers

Thursday, May 18, 2006

By CANDY BROOKS
ThisWeek Staff Writer

A few of the noisiest jets using Don Scott Field at night have been rerouted to Port Columbus.

Beginning last Friday, all MedFlight jets transporting patients or crews between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. will take off and land at the Columbus airport rather than at the Ohio State University airport, according to Scott Whitlock, Worthington's representative on the OSU airport advisory board.

MedFlight offered to re-route the noisy planes as a concession to the community, which has made more than 20,000 complaints about noisy Don Scott aircraft over the past three years.

MedFlight makes only about two night takeoffs or landings a month, but those usually result in noise complaints, said Whitlock.

He estimated that the overall number of complaints would drop about 2 to 3 percent.

MedFlight will continue to fly the older Learjets to and from Don Scott during the day.

The jets are stage 2 aircraft, considered to be the nosiest planes in use today.

The airport in Naples, Fla., recently banned stage 2 jets and the ban withstood legal challenges.

Some Worthington residents have suggested that such a ban be considered at Don Scott.

After many requests from the city of Worthington and WOOSE (We Oppose Ohio State Airport Expansion), the university seems to be ready to approve an in-depth study of airport noise which would include an updated exposure map and a compatibility plan.

Worthington City Council asked the university to complete such a study three years ago. The last time such a study was completed was 1990, and it was based on 1987 conditions.

The study could cost up to $250,000 and must be approved by the OSU Board of Trustees.

"It's now being seriously considered, I predict they will go through with it, though it has to be approved up a couple of levels," Whitlock told city council on Monday.

Whitlock said that he and Cheryl Chandler, who also represents Worthington on the advisory board, are frustrated that the noise tracking system purchased has not been installed.

Last fall, an airport spokesperson said it would be up and running in January.

It is uncertain when installation will begin, Whitlock said. Installation will take three weeks after necessary tower agreements are obtained.