Author
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Topic: Astronaut Roberto Vittori's noise complaints
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Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 01-04-2017 03:35 PM
In 2015, a single individual was responsible for filing 6,500 noise complaints against Reagan International Airport in Washington, DC, more than 75 percent of the total figure (8,670). This Washingtonian was filing on average 18 complaints a day — every day — for 365 days.The tale of the serial complainer culminated in a Washington Post article titled "Are you the person who filed 6,500 noise complaints against National Airport?" No one raised their hand. No one knew. Until now. Roberto Vittori's dogged persistence single-handedly increased the number of noise complaints in DC by a factor of five. He spent countless evenings and weekends in 2015 filing noise complaint after noise complaint like a little old lady who has the bad fortune of living next to a rowdy fraternity house."This is already as I am describing it, you can have the flavor, a full-time job," Vittori, a 52-year-old Italian citizen and resident of Washington, DC, said. It wasn't always like this. In 2013, when Vittori moved his family from Italy to Washington, DC, he thought his wooded neighborhood nestled behind Georgetown's campus was idyllic. He bought the house knowing full well there would be some noise overhead, but at the time it wasn't something to complain about. And then it got worse. Shortly after Vittori moved, Reagan International shifted to a new flight navigation system known as NextGen. This multi-billion-dollar upgrade was developed to help cut carbon emissions and reduce how much fuel is used by providing airline pilots with more direct routes between origin and destination. The NextGen system plotted a new route for planes coming in and out of the DC airport that was closer to Vittori's backyard. "From my bedroom I can see all the planes, and I can very easily identify them by sight," Vittori said. "However, I can also identify them by the noise," he added. The Boeing 737's are the worst. Vittori compared the engine noise to having a vacuum cleaner next to your bedside. "Can you sleep when a vacuum cleaner is turned on?" he asked. "You cannot. You wake up." |
rgarner Member Posts: 1193 From: Shepperton, United Kingdom Registered: Mar 2012
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posted 01-04-2017 03:54 PM
Am I the only one who likes the sound of airplanes taking off? Even at night I like the white noise caused by them. I live near the busiest airport in the UK - lucky me I suppose. |
JBoe Member Posts: 960 From: Churchton, MD Registered: Oct 2012
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posted 01-04-2017 06:43 PM
You're not weird... My wife and I lived off the flight line in Brunswick, Maine and we heard the P-3's taking off and landing. And if the wind was just right you could smell the exhaust! |
MCroft04 Member Posts: 1634 From: Smithfield, Me, USA Registered: Mar 2005
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posted 01-04-2017 09:00 PM
I grew up in south Florida about 10 miles from the Pratt and Whitney plant where my father-in-law Lee worked. Almost every morning, around 2-3 AM, the windows in the house began shaking from the engines they were testing. I loved it! |
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 01-04-2017 09:10 PM
When I first moved to Houston, I stayed with a friend whose house was located near Ellington Airport. The first time a T-38 fired up its afterburner, I literally jumped — I had no idea what was making that loud noise.I live farther away from the field now, but I still smile whenever I hear a flyover. (That said, I think I might do as Vittori did if I lived next to an airport as busy as Reagan National.) |
Mike Dixon Member Posts: 1397 From: Kew, Victoria, Australia Registered: May 2003
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posted 01-05-2017 04:01 AM
Having worked on tarmacs with bug smashers right up to Galaxys. nothing bothers me save for the anger with fools who forgot to bring ear muffs. |
Glint Member Posts: 1040 From: New Windsor, Maryland USA Registered: Jan 2004
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posted 01-05-2017 08:48 AM
I wonder what's keeping him from selling his house and returning to whence he came? |
p51 Member Posts: 1642 From: Olympia, WA Registered: Sep 2011
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posted 01-05-2017 10:20 AM
Reminds of when I was active duty. Each spring, we'd start firing artillery and someone who bought a house over the winter would complain to the post HQ. Once, a grizzled old civilian drove his truck onto the post, demanded to see the nearest officer to complain. Guess who that was?I heard his complaint and then asked if he'd bought his house over the winter. He had. I said, "Sir, this post has been here since 1917, firing pretty much every spring through fall. You can take your complaint higher, I guess, but as this is the biggest regional training area, it's not going to change anything." He was NOT amused, and neither was I. I have zero sympathy for someone who gets a good deal on a house due to the noise, then thinks they're going to stop that noise. |
rgarner Member Posts: 1193 From: Shepperton, United Kingdom Registered: Mar 2012
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posted 01-05-2017 10:28 AM
Some people just like to complain. I get customers like that every now and again — you become pretty good at weeding out the genuine complaints from those who just want something to complain about. But maybe that is a British thing? |
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 01-05-2017 10:51 AM
To be fair, the flight paths changed after Vittori and his family moved into their house. He had accepted there would be some noise, but it sounds (no pun intended) like the level increased dramatically after the implementation of the NextGen system.The first "A" part of NASA has been advancing research on noise reduction for airplane engines to address trade-offs like Vittori has been experiencing. |
Buel Member Posts: 649 From: UK Registered: Mar 2012
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posted 01-05-2017 03:11 PM
I've gotta say that I kind of liked the sound of that guy!! 😂 |
Hart Sastrowardoyo Member Posts: 3445 From: Toms River, NJ Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 01-05-2017 09:53 PM
quote: Originally posted by Glint: I wonder what's keeping him from selling his house and returning to whence he came?
He is trying to move. But think about it: Who will buy the house Vittori lives in now? |
AstronautBrian Member Posts: 287 From: Louisiana Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 01-06-2017 07:02 PM
When I lived for a few years in Australia, we were not far from HMAS Albatross, a naval air station. On occasion fighter jets would take off/land but mostly it was C-130s and Sea King helicopters. It was always neat to see and hear them from the back porch. Also on occasion the army used the airfield for paratrooper training and we watched them jump. However, I'm sure I would not be as enthused if I lived near a place with as much traffic as Reagan International. |
eurospace Member Posts: 2610 From: Brussels, Belgium Registered: Dec 2000
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posted 01-07-2017 10:22 AM
quote: Originally posted by Hart Sastrowardoyo: But think about it: Who will buy the house Vittori lives in now?
A plane spotter? |