President's Perspective

It's always a good time to fly friendly

Ahh, fall. Leaves on the trees in much of the country are beginning their transformation from green to stunning shades of yellow, orange, and red. Summer's scorching heat has cooled, and its steamy humidity is but a memory.

It's a wondrous time of year to fly. The crisp, clear air is as invigorating to fly through as it is to breathe. Whether you're aloft solo or sharing the experience with a friend or family member, flying an airplane through fall's exquisite atmosphere--especially in the cool, still air of evening or early morning--is like slicing butter with a warm knife.

Even if you're still a student pilot, fall flying brings a lot to look forward to. The temperature and humidity are both lower, so the cockpit will seem less like a greenhouse--you won't break into a sweat just sitting there, unless your instructor just pulled the throttle to idle to simulate another engine failure. And with summer's thick haze gone, the checkpoints on your cross-country flights will be much easier to see.

As much as we're enjoying our experience in the air, we should always remain aware of those less-fortunate souls on the ground--those who don't share the gift of flight. Noise is perhaps the biggest bone of contention between aviators and people on the ground. The sound of a Lycoming or Continental aircraft engine may be music to pilots' ears, but many on the ground perceive it as only noise--unpleasant noise at that.

Studies have demonstrated that unpleasant sounds are perceived to be louder than more pleasing sounds of the same level. The sound level, in decibels, of an airplane flying overhead may well be lower than that of the neighborhood children playing in the street. But which do you think will be perceived as noise?

Unfamiliar noises and changes in noise levels are also more noticeable. The neighbor's lawn mower is definitely louder than the Cessna flying overhead, but a lawn mower is more easily tolerated because it is constant and familiar.

And even if irate homeowners can't ultimately stop aircraft overflights, noise complaints can and will affect flight training. Some airports today have curfews, prohibitions against touch-and-go landings, and even outright bans on flight training activities during certain hours.

So what can you do about it? Fly friendly. Flight instructors should remind their students to be aware of the noise that aircraft create. And every pilot should follow simple, safe procedures to minimize the aircraft's noise "footprint." Here are some techniques to follow.

• As with so many things in aviation, altitude is our friend. If you double the altitude (or the lateral distance), you decrease the perceived noise by a factor of four. So, whenever possible, climb at the best-angle-of-climb airspeed. That will guarantee you'll be at the highest possible altitude when you cross the airport fence and fly over the neighbors.
• If the airplane you're flying has a constant-speed propeller, reduce the rpm as soon as practical after takeoff. The propeller causes much of the noticeable noise. On some airplanes, the propeller tips approach the speed of sound at high rpm, causing a racket that can be heard for miles.
• Avoid low, dragged-in approaches and wide traffic patterns. Generally speaking, don't leave pattern altitude until abeam the threshold or when turning base leg.
• With a constant-speed prop, wait until you're on short final before advancing the propeller control to prevent a surge of noise over sensitive areas.
• When practicing maneuvers, fly as high as practical. Look for open areas away from any homes. Pick a road intersection or an isolated tree, not a house, when practicing turns about a point. Flight schools should establish multiple practice areas so that one area doesn't always bear the brunt.

A few years ago, Flying Friendly, an AOPA-produced video demonstrating these tips and many more, was sent to hundreds of airport managers and fixed-base operators across the nation. If your airport doesn't have a copy, it's still available free to flight schools and other organized groups, as well as AOPA Airport Support Network volunteers. To request a copy, contact your ASN volunteer or call the AOPA Pilot Hotline (800/USA-AOPA).

We have a right to fly. We also have an obligation to be good neighbors. Simple consideration will go a long way toward preserving open skies.

So, fly friendly as you enjoy the October air. By next month October's leaves will be brown and lying on the ground; be prepared to hear the whining sound of leaf blowers.