Noise map to show more homes affected by F-35s
By: Aidan Quigley for VTDigger, Apr. 24, 2019
The first noise map for the Burlington International Airport that includes the F-35s coming this fall is “substantially complete” and won’t include any surprises, airport officials say.
The map is consistent with findings in the Air Force’s Environmental Impact Statement and will be published May 28, according to Nick Longo, the airport’s deputy director of aviation.
The total number of households affected is still being calculated but will likely be close to the initial estimate of 1,000, Longo said.
“There’s no big surprises, it’s very consistent with what we’ve all seen in the Environmental Impact Statement, and this is the opportunity now for the FAA and the airport to move forward,” Longo said.
While the map factors in all aircraft at the airport, the changes are due to the arrival of the F-35s.
The F-35s will be four times as loud as the F-16s, which recently wrapped up their tenure in the state.
The use of afterburners by the F-16s prompted a 2015 noise map. In total, about 200 homes have been purchased since 1990 through a federal program.
