Joint Consultative Committee
The Wycombe Air Park Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) provides a forum for the discussion of all matters concerning the development or operation of the aerodrome which have an impact on the users of the aerodrome and on people living in the surrounding area.
The Wycombe Air Park JCC was set up in the mid seventies and is made up of representatives from the local communities, Wycombe District Council and members of the airfield users. Over the years the following measures have been adopted after discussions between members of the JCC and Airways Aero Associations Ltd.
The JCC comprises representatives from the following organisations:-
- Wycombe District Council (WDC)
- Local Parish Councils (Great Marlow, Hambleden, Lane End, Marlow Bottom, West Wycombe).
- Elected members of Wycombe District Council (Booker & Cressex, Chilton Rise, Greater Marlow, Hambleden Valley, Sands).
- Airways Aero Associations Ltd
- Booker Gliding Club
- Booker Common & Woods Protection Society
- Airways Flying Club
- Wycombe Air Centre
- Helicopter Operators
The management of Wycombe Air Park is committed to working with the community to minimise the impact of operations on the local environment.
Noise Abatement Zones (NAZs)
As well as providing a general forum for discussion, the JCC has established and monitors observance of NAZs. In establishing these zones the JCC has had to combine the restrictions of internationally agreed circuit procedures with the best interest of local inhabitants in the more populated areas around the airfield.
Having agreed to these routes, the aircraft operators endeavour to follow them as far as safely practicable. Monitoring is carried out by WDC to check compliance.
The management of the Air Park strives to ensure 100% compliance with NAZs. However, given that there is a continuous flow of trainee pilots and visitors, infringement by trainees or visitors may occur.
Occasional deviations from the noise abatement procedures may also occur for reasons of safety, under the guidance of Air Traffic Control.
The management of the Air Park and operators will deal with any infringement that is promptly brought to their attention.
Noise Abatement Procedures explained
There are 3 runway directions at Wycombe Air Park. The runway in use at any one time depends mainly upon the wind direction as aircraft generally take-off and land into the wind. The directions in most frequent use are runway 24 (when the wind is blowing from the west) and 06 (when the wind is blowing from the east). The NAZs have been established to prevent local aircraft from overflying populated areas when climbing after take-off using either of these runways.
It is important to remember that only one NAZ will be in operation at any one time. For example the NAZ over Sands is only in operation when runway 06 is in use.
Runway directions 06 and 24 are also used for glider towing, and in certain weather conditions aircraft on runway 06 have to cross the southern edge of the NAZ at Booker.
All aeroplanes under the control of the Wycombe Air Park Control Tower are subject to the active NAZ. However, other aircraft such as the large jets flying above 2,500 feet (above sea level) fly under the control of the London Area and Terminal Control Centre (LATCC) and are not in touch by radio with Wycombe Air Park, as they are not in its airspace.
Fixed-wing NAZs (in white)
Helicopter noise routes
How are noise issues dealt with?
The JCC holds meetings at Wycombe Air Park normally 3 times per year, occasionally more. The public is encouraged to attend for the last 30 minutes of the meeting to air questions regarding any issues relating to Wycombe Air Park and the local community. The JCC meetings are held in the evenings, thus offering more scope for public attendance.
The aerodrome management voluntarily shoulders the (not insignificant) costs of JCC meetings and errant pilot tracking thus removing from Parish Councils and amenity groups the difficulty of funding from their own resources.
The JCC is chaired by an independent person of known good character. This ensures that a balanced view is taken and that neither the residents' views nor the various operators' views dominate.
The JCC designs and operates a robust complaints procedure for those who wish to complain about aircraft which might not adhere to the established and agreed voluntary noise-amelioration procedures.
The aerodrome management traces errant pilots who might have been found wanting in their adherence to the noise-amelioration procedures.
The airfield management interviews pilots (with remedial training if necessary) who have been accused of failure to adhere to noise-amelioration procedures.
The airfield management applies disciplinary measures to grossly or persistently errant pilots.
The airfield management charges fees for landing, based upon aircraft weight. Assuming that heavier aircraft have more noisy (or greater number of) engines, this falls in line with internationally established principles that heavier / more noisy aircraft pay more. Ultimately this could encourage pilots to fly lighter / less noisy machinery.
The JCC agrees adherence monitoring principles with Local Authority. Agreeing that the local authority provides monitoring data ensures that monitoring is independent of the aerodrome's management structure.
Measures taken by Airways Aero Associations Ltd. (operator of Wycombe Air Park) for the amelioration of perceived noise nuisance:
(The notes apply to both fixed wing traffic and to rotary-wing traffic unless annotated. "Fixed-wing traffic" implies the inclusion of tug-aircraft which tow gliders).
Each of the following initiatives is a voluntary action taken by Wycombe Air Park's operating company.
All legal rules and regulations will naturally be observed by the aerodrome operator at all times.
Change in Circuit Height
There has been an increase in the height of circuit flying from 800 feet to 1000 feet (above aerodrome elevation). Rotary-wing traffic similarly has been increased to 750 feet.
Take-off Noise Abatement Zones (NAZs)
Adoption of specific noise abatement zones for the two most-often used runway directions (runway 06 and runway 24). The "Take-off Noise Abatement Zone", applicable to the appropriate in-use runway direction, endeavours to take the "climb power" noise away from the majority of the residents' properties during the majority of the after take-off climbs.
Routes
Adoption of specific noise routes, additional to, but outside of, the Noise Abatement Zones on runways 06 and 24, in order to provide a further buffer, thus taking account of the naturals "spread" between the desired and achieved tracks flown by pilots. Such tracks naturally vary: by differing pilot abilities, by different experience levels, with local knowledge, with pertaining wind velocities, etc.
Other Runway Procedures
Adoption of specific noise procedures for all other runways / circuits despite their lack of formal Noise Abatement Zones.
Amended Circuit Procedures
Amend internationally accepted standard circuit size, shape and procedure to all runways to accommodate local residents' wishes for minimal property over-flights.
Larger Aircraft
Alter pilot-in-command engine operation procedures of more noisy twin-engine WAP-based training aeroplanes to reduce noise within the aerodrome circuit by angling variable pitch propellers into quiet mode for as long as practically possible.
Each of the above results in an increase in pilot work-load, an increase in total flying hours from the aerodrome, greater wear and tear to every aircraft, to every engine and to every propeller, greater expense to every pilot and every operating company and the burning of greater quantities of fossil fuels. The resulting larger-sized circuits also unfortunately forces those who live further from the aerodrome to suffer noise from the aircraft which, ordinarily, would be confined to areas much closer to the aerodrome boundary.
Briefings / Transparency
Adopt a Prior Permission Required (PPR) booking in system. This means that all visiting aircraft must call Wycombe Air Park by phone before arriving. This allows us to make sure the arriving pilots are familiar with the joining procedure and noise abatement procedures in force at Wycombe Air Park before their arrival.
Promulgate arrival noise-amelioration procedures in most-used Pilot Guides (e.g. Pooley's Guide and AFE Guide) thus ensuring that visiting pilots are aware of the arrival noise-amelioration procedures.
Ensure that departing pilots obtain a personal briefing before departure if not already familiar with the aerodrome's departure noise-amelioration procedures.
Provide printed copies or DVD-video briefings of noise abatement procedures for all visiting pilots and for all pilots flying from / at Wycombe Air Park.
Provide access to all noise procedures on the airfield website.
Ensure that the on-duty Air Traffic Controllers remind every departing pilot (individually, by radio) of his / her responsibility to obey the voluntarily-imposed Wycombe Air Park Noise Abatement Zones and Procedures.
Provide a face-to-face briefing (by Managing Director of the Aerodrome Operator) for every fixed-wing and every rotary-wing Flight Instructor as well as every pilot of a glider-tug which operates at Wycombe Air Park. This ensures that the correct noise abatement messages reach those who teach, brief or examine at the aerodrome thus promoting only the correct data to all trainees and qualified pilots.
Provide a briefing sheet for local residents. This ensures (in agreement with Local Authority's Head of Environmental Services) that the residents are appraised of the circuit patterns and of their expectations to see aircraft over particular areas of countryside. This briefing also offers advice on how to recognise aircraft types which could be beneficial should a complainant wish to contact the aerodrome operator, the aircraft operator, or the Local Authority.
Information Required to Investigate Complaints
If you wish to make a complaint or report a breach of the NAZs it is very important to get as much information as possible. The following information is very important when investigating complaints as the data enables the airfield operator to identify, track and speak with the pilot concerned.
- Date and time of the event
- Aircraft registration letters (the last two letters are the most important)
- Aircraft colour and type (see images below for examples of aircraft types)
- Reason for your complaint
A minimal description of the most common types of aircraft used at Wycombe Air Park
High Wing Mono-plane
Low Wing Mono-plane
Bi-plane
Twin Engine Mono-plane
It is also very helpful if your complaint can be reported to one of the contacts below as soon as possible.
Local Flights
Breaches of NAZs can be reported directly to Wycombe Air Park (Management and Air Traffic Control) on 01494 529262 or 01494 523426. Alternatively you can write to the operator of Wycombe Air Park which is:
Airways Aero Associations Ltd
Wycombe Air Park
Booker
Marlow
Buckinghamshire SL7 3DP
You can also contact WDC on 01494 421742 with the enquiries / complaints about flights from WAP. If your enquiry cannot be dealt with immediately then it will be referred to the next meeting of the JCC. Written enquiries should be addressed to:
Environmental Services
Division
Wycombe District Council
Queen Victoria Road
High Wycombe
Buckinghamshire HP11 1BB
National & International Flights
Complaints should be directed to the airport from which the aircraft operates. The following contact numbers may be useful:
Heathrow Airport - 0800 344844 (24 Hr service with answering machine between 5:00pm and 9:00am)
Complaints in respect of alleged breaches of Rules of the Air may be investigated by:
Safety Regulation Group
Civil Aviation Authority Aviation House
Gatwick Airport South
West Sussex RH6 0YR
01293 567171
