HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 1142.030 2006-2008
Original Message-----
From: Clayton, John S Mr CIV USA IMCOM <john.s.clayton@us.army.mil>
To: alohanann@aol.com
Sent: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 6:14 am
Subject: FW: Military wants C-17 400 mph low flyovers over the Big Island
I am a retired military pilot, with 31 years in. I also hold the FAA Airline Transport Pilot,
Flight Instructor Certification, and Certified Instrument Flight Instructor Ratings. My
rank was CWS. It is fine for your friend to cite my input.
Current assignment
Airfield Operations Manager
Ft. Lewis, WA 253 967-6676
Please understand I am as pro-military as it gets, and although I am a property owner in
Waikoloa Village, I would be supportive of the proposal if I really felt it was of value to
better train our wonderful young military folks, and, that there were no other reasonable
alternatives. However, this initiative, from my perspective, does not present that "ring".
The USAF, and COL Torres, have an difficult task convincing me otherwise.
I read the Wing Commander's (Col Torres) letter in the paper on the proposal. I have a
couple of questions that may come out in the hearings on the Environmental assessment:
He states that this is formalizing a practice that has been in place for 22 years. What is
that? I looked at the current aeronautical charts for the Big Island, and there is nothing
shown to indicate low level flight by large military aircraft. What is he referring to?
The route comes almost directly over Waikoloa Village..... I'm not happy about
that..it.impacts residents, not to mention our ability to re-rent the condos if it becomes as
noisy as I expect....
At 350 knots, the total time over land would be 12 minutes, and the route has only one
turn of any significance.... this will have very limited training value to the pilots,
particularly after having flown it a couple of times. They need to fly to McChord or
Travis AFB, and utilize the existing low level Visual Routes and Instrument Routes that
would have real value. Twelve minutes with only one real turn has little or no value for
pilot training and real-world missions... it becomes simply an iteration to check off a
training requirement sheet.
I think the impact on the noise environment would be significant. There is potential
damage to livestock, and a significant quality of life impact on all the residents of the
west and south coasts.
The route comes within 2 miles of Waimea-Kohala Airport, which is a non-tower airport,
and has glider activity along the proposed route. There is also a heavy concentration of
helicopter activity low level throughout the route. There is clearly risk of a midair
Gomm. No.
Ref. Ta:?'"--i°Q1
Ref. Da% PR 21 20D8
collision, that cannot be mitigated at 300 feet and 350 knots in moderate winds and the
presence of obstructions to visibility so common to the area.
I doubt that I could be convinced there is any real value to the military, and there will
clearly be a "taking" of value to the residents and business. I would work against this.
That is my thoughts.
Steele Clayton
Airfield Operations Manager
Ft. Lewis, WA 253 967-6676
DSN 357
I would appreciate any emails that might help keep me abreast of the proceedings.
Regards,
Steele