Phase 1 of ILM noise study presented to the public, some concerns from residents still remain
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The first phase of a study aimed at better understanding the impact of noise on communities living near Wilmington International Airport was made public on Wednesday.
On Wednesday night, an aircraft called the Omega Tanker took off from ILM.
Used for mid-air refueling for military aircraft, it is just one of many planes that Wilmington resident Chase Oliveri has heard flying over his home every day.
“We live downtown and obviously we hear a lot of planes taking off and landing over us so we were curious to learn more about the study and see what they’re up to,” Olivieri said.
The study Chase is referring to is the Part 150 Study, which examines the impact of noise from commercial and military aircraft on areas near Wilmington International Airport.
The study began in 2024, with Phase 1 identifying that the noise contours of the airport extend mostly to the north and east of the airfield
About 50 acres of residential land and 15 homes are being impacted by the federal standard of 65 decibels day-night level (65 DNL)
A 65 DNL combines all of the flights that an area might experience to measure annoyance, but the loudness or decibels of those flights are not actually used as part of the study.
Airport director Jeff Bourk said the next phase of the study will determine what changes the airport could make.
“The noise compatibility impact will look at land use planning, things like approaches and departure procedures and other things that can be looked at,” Bourk said. “But we’re not ready to get into that. There will be a technical review committee that’ll be formed that will go through all of those alternatives and things that can be done to look at it.”
Bourk added zoning for land around the airport could also be impacted, for example, changing it from residential to commercial to lessen citizen concerns.
But for residents like Olivieri, there are other changes he’d prefer to be made.
“I’m just hoping to see if they can start to adjust some of the takeoff or landing like corridors just to kind of make that a little bit less of an impact on the downtown residential area.”
It is important to mention that this noise study is completely voluntary and ILM was not federally required to do it.
The next public meeting for the study will be held in the spring, while Bourk said Phase 2 could take up to another year to be completed.
