[TowerTalk] Whidbey noise, Tower, NAS Whidbey

[Chuck S.]

Bob Bogash <bobby1 at rbogash.com> 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'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.
>
>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.
>
>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.
>
>Good luck,
>
>Bob Bogash
>W7DDD
>
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