Daily news for Seattle's Magnolia neighborhood
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Airplane noise rattles Magnolia

November 12th, 2009 · Comments

A crowd of more than fifty people showed up this evening to hear from officials from Alaska Airlines, Boeing Field and SeaTac airport regarding airplane noise in Magnolia.

Alaska Airlines representative received a round of applause after outlining the airline’s investment in Required Navigation Performance (RNP) technology that saves fuel and reduces noise.  Half of the flight operations at SeaTac come from Alaska and Horizon and using RNP enables their aircraft to fly safe, predictable and more efficient paths.  That means less noise for Magnolia and surrounding areas.

The audience said that airplane noise has gotten worse lately and people living near the water tower say it is loudest in that area.  One woman says she can’t even talk on the phone during the day when the planes fly by her home.  Others said the noise is at its worst in the early morning between 4a.m. and 6a.m.

Robert Burke, Airport Director, said there are up to eight cargo flights per day coming into Boeing Field.   Three of those are from UPS and Burke says they are working with UPS on an alternative approach that would reduce noise over Magnolia.  He encouraged residents to call the Boeing Field hotline at 206-205-5242 or email noise@kingcounty.gov. with any noise issues.  It is helpful to give the plane id if possible.  You can also call the SeaTac noise number at 206-433-5393.

One person said that as much as he appreciates the information, having a phone line to call is fruitless.  He said there should be a hotline for the FAA since they are the ones who control the aircraft movement and the airspace and its a waste of time to call the airports.

A representative from the FAA attended the meeting but when asked to speak said initially said he was only there to listen.

However, David Suomi, FAA Regional Administrator did eventually address the crowd, explaining that while the implementation of new technology is very complex, there is no doubt that the FAA is committed to reducing noise.  A number of people thanked Suomi for attending the meeting and listening to their concerns.

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  • Name
    I cannot send email to this email address. I get a failed error.

    noise@kingcounty.gov
  • pattyfong
    I live in the Central District near Yesler and 15th Avenue South and ever since this summer I have suddenly come right under the southbound flight path. The noise is horrific and lasts all day into the night with planes landing one right after the other only minutes apart. As they are in their final stages of landing they are very low and very loud due to the flaps opening to let the landing gear down. Sometimes the planes are so low it is positively chilling. I am actively organizing to fight this "dump" on the Central District where we have a lot of poor and politically disenfranchised people who don't know how to fight this situation that has been leveled on us. I would just like to say that even if I were not personally bothered by this situation it is a health hazard both chemically and psychologically as well as physiologically. This has a scientific basis. Airplane noise is not part of "city noise". For one thing, city noise is controlled with noise ordinances. Air plane noise is not but should be. I invite you to join my Facebook group "Under the Flight Path" to organize to advocate for changes by pilots, airport managers like the Port, airplane manufacturers (frame modifications) and elected officials who need to heed our just concerns. This is not a matter of "spoiled babies". Here is the link to my Facebook group:

    http://www.facebook.com/search/?init=quick&q=un...

    Here is also a link to the Naples, Florida Airport where they have some great policies for mitigating airplane noise:

    http://www.flynaples.com/index.php/noise-abatem...

    Please visit my Facebook group for more links about what they are doing in Berlin and the UK to mitigate airplane noise.

    Finally I would just like to say we can't solve this county-wide problem by pushing it into another neighborhood. This is a problem that affects all of us; we're in this together. The solution lies in making mitigations that win for all of us from the community on to the industry.

    Thank you for listening.

    Patty Fong
    Central District
  • I Love Airplane Noise
    I live right next to the water tower, and can tell you that this is really not a problem. It's not that loud. The buses on Viewmont are much louder, and nobody is complaining about them.
  • wildernessbarbie
    I live on the edge of Magnolia, but the Fisherman's Terminal. I don't get much airplane noise for the most part, but if people up on the hills get noise like we did earlier this week at bout 8:30 in the evening, I don't blame them in the least for complaining!

    It was extremely loud, and sort of scary. It sounded like a fighter jet coming in right over our house, and went on for a very long time. Because of the low cloud cover, we couldn't see anything, but it was enough to get us off the couch, turn off the TV, and go out on the deck to see what was going on. If that's an indication of what's to come, we'll be shopping elsewhere for a house. No amount of insulation would block that noise out!
  • comag
    Obviously, none of you who have left a comment so far live in this neighborhood. In case you didn't take geography, Magnolia is made up of two hills. Believe it or not where you live on those hills does make a difference in the noise level!! These planes are loud & they are flying very low by the time they make their decent over the hills. I welcome any of you to come on over at 5a, 515a or 530a (if you prefer to sleep in) and hear for yourself. Otherwise keep your noses out of it!!
  • NOLLA
    Did you not know when you moved in that you were going to be living under the approach to one of the oldest airports in the nation? I bet your the type that tells the police you didn't know what the speed limit was so you should get a break and not get a ticket.
  • comag
    We moved in over 4 yrs ago. The noise wasn't a problem then. Over the past 2 yrs it's gotten increasingly worse. Not by the number of planes, but by their lower fly bys. If they were inverted like maverick & goose you could easily make out the bird sign! And I'll keep my response to the "type" comment short since it has nothing to do with this topic: Are you kidding me?!? That's just plain common sense. Nolla made a very funny joke today!
  • BFIGUY
    The localizer and glide path have not changed in the past 2 years it has not changed since it was put in over 40 years ago!
    Maybe your house grew in the last 2 years?
  • vanderleun
    "One woman says she can’t even talk on the phone during the day when the planes fly by her home."

    Now you know that's a lie.
  • AMS
    This is actually true. I could not have a conversation last week because of the noise.
  • Val
    That can definitely happen ... I went to high school under an alternate landing path in Hawaii. When it was being used, the teachers would have to stop talking for a minute every time an airplane went over.
  • vanderleun
    What a bunch of spoiled babies.
  • I Love Airplane Noise
    WAAAHHHHHH.

    Can't believe people complain about this...
  • you're an idiot
    waaahhhhh! i can't believe you're complaining about people complaining! get a life!
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