Portland Jetport devises quieter routes

PORTLAND – Aviation officials on Tuesday planned to introduce new flight patterns and procedures at the Portland International Jetport intended to reduce the roar of planes over many residential neighborhoods.

Proposals include routing more planes over Portland Harbor, working with Federal Express to change the path of company planes and adding a computer system to track noise coming from airplanes.

“We have really come a long way in our thinking about how to deal with noise,” said James Cohen, chairman of the airport’s noise advisory committee.

The new flight patterns and procedures are the result of a three-year noise study, completed this summer, that was prompted by complaints of booms and rumbles created by aircraft during takeoff and landing.

To reduce noise from the airport, aviation officials plan to ask airlines to voluntarily follow new routes on a temporary basis, said Jeff Bourk, assistant airport manager.

One pattern will have planes take off along the Fore River to avoid homes on the Portland peninsula and South Portland. Planes that head west after takeoff will be asked to fly over less populated areas.

Bourk and Portland Mayor Nathan Smith said noise-reduction options are limited because Federal Aviation Administration standards control the operation of airports. Federal laws forbid airports from restricting flight times or requiring certain flight paths.

Residents will notice a change when the temporary flight paths go into place, Bourk said.