Index 

• The EARLY Days
• Flying Schools
• The FIRST Master Plan
• The WHISPER Jets ???
• A SOLUTION

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HIGH EXPECTATIONS in the Early Days: 

To fully understand the current issues surrounding the proposed East/West Runway and Airport Noise you need to know a little of its past history; 

The airstrip was built in early 1959 by Pacific Paradise Development Pty. Ltd. in connection with the development of the town of Pacific Paradise. 
Later, the Maroochy Shire Council took interest in the airstrip, which the State and Federal Governments decided to develop as the Maroochy Airport and it was officially opened as such on 12th. August 1961 

This development at a cost of $224,000 was hailed by Mr. D. A. Low who was then shire chairman as ushering in a new era for fruit and vegetable industry and a magnificent boost to the tourist industry. 

But by 1970 the Airport had turned into what was then described by the maroochy shire chairman Cr. E. O. DeVere as A WHITE ELEPHANT.
However Council still spent more money extending the northern end of runway 18/36 by an extra 450 ft. in an effort to attract interest from the commercial airlines.

Ironically it was a company called East-West Airlines which heralded in the new era for the aerodrome by commencing a weekly direct flight to Sydney in December 1970

A year later, East-West was operating a bi-weekly service to Sydney on Wednesdays and Saturdays and Council budgeted a further $29.000 to extend the 18/36 runway a further 1000 ft to the north.
This made a total strip length of 5500 feet which was then capable of handelling a fully loaded Fokker Frendship with 44 passengers on board.

In the late 70's, East-West were crowded out by Air NSW and Ansett, as the numbers of Fokker Friendship services escalated
We now also had daily Metro Commuter Services to Brisbane and for the first time we became aware of the noise from these aircraft.

However, the 1998 Noise Management Report goes into great detail to describe the effects aircraft noise has on people.
Appendix D explains the ANEF (Australian Noise Exposure Forcast) System, but in laymans terms it is simply a combination of; Loudness, Frequency and Time.
The Loudness Factor is obvious, and Aircraft Engines are natoriously LOUD.
The Frequency Factor - Repeditave noise events are more disturbing than one single very LOUD event.
The Time Factor - The time of day a noise occurs relates to its IMPACT, in as much as 1 nightime event is equivalent to 4 in the daytime.

We presently have 3 flying schools, not counting helicopters 
Fogarty alone has 15 aircraft with an average of 12 students at any one time amounting to 4500 hours flying time in 1996. 
Suncoast Flying and Aviation Accademy of Qld account for another 8 aircraft and another 6 students at any one time
This then is the frequency factor referred to in the above ANEF System. 
And when these students do NIGHT TRAINING the time factor is also introduced

Then we have the EFATO manoeuver (Engine Failure After Take Off) which the advanced students practice by cutting the throttle after take-off (or a touch-and-go) to simulate engine failure, and gliding down silently over residential areas whilst the student practices the correct procedures for this event, until the instructor declares to "go-around". -- At which time the throttle is slammed open, generally only feet above our roof tops, and the student resumes normal flying.
This then is the loudness factor of the ANEF system. 
And when they combined EFATO's with Night Flying back in 1988, the situation became UNBEARABLE
The flying schools of course were very sympathetic and told us that "they were here first", and "We should not have built our homes near the airport if we couldn't take a bit of noise" -- 
And it was not until 8th. March 1993 (5 years of hell for us.) that the 3 schools of the time agreed to a Gentlemans Aggrement to Limit these operations over residential areas.

14th. Dec. 1995 -- The Daily's Headlines "TOP GUN SCHOOL SEEKS CLEARANCE"
This was the first and only announcement to the local residents that Council was activly courting the Largest Flying School in the Southern Hemesphere to relocate from Sydney to the Sunshine Coast.
There were moves afoot to downgrade safety standards yet again to allow "Navair" to commence operations here with an extra 35 training aircraft.
It was only after much criticism in the press by residents about the proposed downgrade from a Class C to a Class D Separation Standard, that Council changed it's mind and Navair decided NOT to proceed with this venture.
THANK GOD !

But now Sunstate (Quantas) and other larger companies are looking to use this airport for their own pilot training areas, and they have no intention of being bound by any silly little Gentlemans Agreement as above to hamper their operations. 

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1. Upgrade the 18/36 runway for $9.8M or
2. Construct the 13/31 Runway (And all its associated infrastructure, terminal, parking etc.) for $10.3M.

The bottom line of which stated "...the East/West runway was inevitable at sometime in the future". -- And they recommended construction of 13/31 as the preferred option. 

Unfortunately for us ALL, -- Council, with no public consultation what-so ever made the wrong decision and saved a whole $500,000. 
History has now proved how this short term SAVING has been the root cause of all the present problems. 
The cost of a Feasibility Study alone is now TWICE the extra cost it would have been to construct the whole project back in 1983. 

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From here on, conditions deteriorated rapidly for the local residents around the airport precinct
The combination of ever increasing Whisper Jet services and the growth of the Flying Schools saw the end of our Peace and Quiet.
NOISE HAD BECOME A PROBLEM
And we were repeatedly told -- "It was all our own fault."-- "The airport was here first." -- "We should never have built here." -- "We have no right to complain" and "If we don't like it MOVE !"

Meanwhile -- Council continued to throw good money after bad in upgrading the North/South runway.

1985 - The New control tower was built.
1990 - A New terminal was opened
1993 - Runway 18/36 again strengthened to cater for larger aircraft.
1995 - RPT Apron extended to accommodate 4 x B737 parking bays
1995 - New taxiway constructed to runway 18/36 and Runway 12/30 was sealed. 1997 - The Latest new terminal of 5200sq.m was opened to cater for 3 x B737s /hour.
1998 - The latest Airport Master Plan was unveiled.

Since the FIRST Airport Master Plan 17 years ago there have now been some 21 similar reports. (The only ones who have benefited from these reports are the Authors. )
And they all say THE SAME THING. -- We NEED an East West Runway.
But Council still continues to ignore them and waste more money trying to patch up the original 1983 mistake.
The sad thing about this Dog chasing its Tail scenario is that the $1/2M saved back in 1983 now will cost some $25M. And in 2015, what ? $100M ?

Personally, I think Council has already missed it's window of opportunity back in 1983.
I cannot now see the mythical East/West Runway EVER being built to it's full potential and capable of taking Direct Overseas Jets.
-- And why bother ?
With Brisbane International only minutes away by commuter, why waste more money now trying to compete with it ?

Council should forget its "Pie in the Sky" ideas of Direct Overseas Flights and concentrate on making the best use of the existing LIMITED Facilities, whilst, at the same time, alleviating the noise impact on the long suffering local residents it disadvantaged by its mistake in 1983.

Council could still proceed with a STAGED DEVELOPMENT as recommended in the latest report, -- but NOT of Runway 18/36.

The East/West Runway sould be commenced and constructed to a stage where it could share the RPT traffic up to and including the size of Sunstate's Shorts.

This could be done in such a manner as to be PART of the Futuristic 13/31 Runway if that dream was ever to be realized in the year of 2015 or beyond.

Either this Airport or the Residential Communities should NOT be here.
The latest Master Plan shows that it violates almost every safety rule in CASSA's book.
And now there are rumors about further safety standards being relaxed (BROKEN) yet again to permit Direct International Services to commence with no Fire Services present.

Surely these decissions should not be left in the hands of a few Politicians who are elected for a fleeting 3 years before retiring and returning to their old jobs of Cane Farmers or School Teachers.

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