Bob Bogash wrote:
>> I haven't been there long enough to get tired of the aircraft noise yet,
>>
>>> although some of the locals are. It's still cool when a P-3 or EA-6B flies
>>> by low enough to see the pilot. My Dad was career Navy; I spent some time on
>>> three different aircraft carriers in my service years in the Navy, and
>>> whenever I have a chance to see the Blue Angels, I go. I'm told that they
>>> will be phasing in a new F-18 variant for the ECM mission, so we'll see (and
>>> hear, and feel) fewer EA-6Bs and more F-18's in the future. Cool!
>>>
>
> haven't been there long enough to get tired of the aircraft noise
> yet,........... You WILL be!!!
>
I got to the point where I could sleep within 300 yards of the active.
(outdoors)
> I've been an airplane guy my whole life, Dick, and live 10 NM south of
> the Whidbey training strip (at Pt. No Pt.) (also on high bank with its
> benefits.) I've previously posted on the value of the high bank vis a
> vis antenna height. I used to think the EA-6Bs were noisy - until the
> F-18G Growlers showed up. They do nite training at the remote strip
> (Coupeville) from 2100-2400 local and, despite being 10 miles away, they
> kept everyone up at nite when they started entering service last summer.
> I never heard the Prowlers at this location.
>
>
OTOH be happy the F-14's have been retired. To me they are far louder
than the 18's. From 300 yards I could feel the sound of a 14 on full
burner with my insides. Not as bad as popping a low E string when
standing 3 feet in front of a concert amp running over 200 watts of
music power out though. <:-))
> Hope you got a good deal on that property, and remember their billboard
> "The Sound of Freedom." You'll need that understanding in the days to
> come, when all those Prowlers convert to Growlers (Screamers would be a
> better name!)
>
> It's not clear from all the chatter on this reflector that military
> airports don't have different requirements than civil airports. For
> sure - as you've already stated (cool to look a P-3 pilot in the eyes!)
> military flying involves a lot of low altitude work in the VICINITY of
> the the airport that is not seen (or allowed) at civil airfields. The
> aero chart for the Whidbey NAS, for example, shows a number of MOAs
> (Military Operational Areas) in the vicinity.
>
Instrument approaches at civilian airports are LOW too (they do vary
widely with terrain). From the Final Approach Fix (FAF) in, which is a
bit over 5 miles the altitude is 500 feet AGL. (that's 500 feet minus
nothing and up to plus 100 what ever you are flying.) At that point I
have the gear and flaps down and have brought in a fair amount of power
which means although it's only 3100# it's getting noisy. When I go into
the "circle to land" (low level maneuvering to line up with the proper
runway the power really comes in. With a 2-blade prop the tips can go
supersonic. From 500 feet that is LOUD and will rattle the dishes in the
cupboards below. Before going to a 3-blade prop I used to get lots of
complaints. A couple years ago, I dropped the nose on climb out to see
nothing but a windshield full of rivets on the underside of a 737
flying right through the pattern at 700 feet. He was where he wasn't
supposed to be and far lower than he was supposed to be. I don't know
where he was going, but at pattern altitude I was looking down on him as
he proceeded on East.
> My knowledge base runs out in this area - specifically as to whether the
> FAA has the sole (or ANY) jurisdiction with regard to military airfields
> and the NAS. The FAA documentation all refers to a "Public Use Airport."
> NAS Whidbey is NOT a Public Use Airport. You might want to run the
> trapline at the NAS as well.
>
> For 'what-it's-worth', it's not clear with your site location, that
> you'll need a very tall tower. My HFTA analysis at my high bluff site
> shows basically a foot-for-foot benefit for my height above SL and
> allows a low tower to appear to be a tall one.
>
>
Here in the flat lands, we don't have a spot within 30 miles where the
terrain gives any advantage.
73
Roger (K8RI)
> Good luck,
>
> Bob Bogash
> W7DDD
>
> _______________________________________________
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>
>
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
TowerTalk mailing list
TowerTalk@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
|