ILM noise study explores ways to reduce aircraft noise for nearby residents

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Aircraft noise remains a concern for some residents living near Wilmington International Airport as officials continue studying ways to reduce the impact of flights on surrounding communities.

Airport officials presented the latest phase of the airport’s Federal Aviation Administration Part 150 noise study on Wednesday, including potential noise abatement measures, land-use recommendations and other strategies to address aircraft noise.

For residents such as Melissa Manley and Robert Smith, the noise can be particularly disruptive.

“When the aircraft come in on runway 17, most of the time they’re landing over our house. They’re really close. I mean, it’s scary close,” Smith said. “It’s 300 or 400 feet from the commercial jets and the military aircraft.”

Their home is identified as No. 22 on a sound contour map included in the airport’s ongoing study.

Airport Director Jeff Bourk said possible noise abatement measures could include voluntary changes to how some aircraft arrive and depart.

One option under consideration would involve aircraft departing in a way that keeps them away from flying over downtown Wilmington, if conditions allow it.

“24 departures straight out, they’re going to fly right over downtown,” Bourk said. “So one of the noise abatement alternative measures that we’re going to look at — this is going to be one of the voluntary measures — is can we have the aircraft depart and stay over more of the commercial area, Smiths Creek, and stay over that area until passing the Cape Fear River and then make a turn out to the right or left?”

Bourk said the study is intended to help ILM balance continued growth with the concerns of nearby residents.

“We’re looking ahead to see where we can just be good neighbors in terms of economic benefit to the region,” Bourk said. “But we also want to be good neighbors from the standpoint of mitigating noise in ways that we can, if we can. And that’s what this study helps us understand.”

Bourk said the FAA currently requires the airport to pursue noise mitigation for homes north of the airport. Any additional measures identified through the study would be voluntary.

The airport expects to complete the study by the end of the year. The FAA could then take six months to a year to review and approve the plan, with implementation of any approved changes potentially taking another year.

Residents can submit comments on the study through a link provided by the airport.