Want Planes Routed Over Ocean, Away From Homes

The FAA is currently considering several options for routing traffic in to and out of the east coast's busiest airports. That doesn't sit well with residents in Ocean County, NJ, however -- who say the agency is strongly considering the possibility of routing thousands of airplane flights over their homes. They want the agency to abandon THAT idea once and for all.

The Asbury Park Press reports that citizens in the state's northern and central counties have pushed since the 1990s for the federal government to stop sending so many flights from Newark Liberty International Airport and the New York airports across their skies.

Those citizens have formed a group called the New Jersey Coalition Against Aircraft Noise, which is a proponent of a system called ocean routing: sending the departing jets south along the state's coastline -- allowing the jets to gain altitude while over the ocean -- before making a westward turn across Ocean County.

That doesn't sit well with residents of Ocean County, however, who would suddenly have to deal with those planes over their homes, instead.

"We don't want any more flights directed over this county," said Ocean County Freeholder James P. Lacey. "We need the FAA to abandon the ocean routing proposal."

As was reported in Aero-News, the FAA recently held a public information session on how to route the planes and reduce the noise. The FAA has been considering four alternatives for lessening aircraft noise, including ocean routing -- but so far, a decision has not been made.

FMI: www.faa.gov