BDU noise "abatement"

With  20% - 25% increased operations at BDU over the past four years comes increased noise and emissions (including lead dust).

BDU has a voluntary noise abatement program.    In practice this means very little.   Pilots are in no way obligated to follow these recommendations.   Pilots who behave poorly over residences are never reprimanded nor punished.    Pilots may use whatever loud equipment they want on their aircraft, as long as they can use the runway.

Noise and general aviation

BDU Noise Abatement Policy map

Satellite view of same area

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The Noise Abatement Policy map shows a convenient gap for the tow planes to haul their noisy load south over residents, hour after hour, day after day.   Sorry golf course users, Forest Glen and Greenbelt Meadows residents!   You need to take one for the team, .. again and again and again and again and again. 

Morning tow plane traffic

Lead

Noise

Noise impact on Boulder County wildlife

Boulder County is blessed with beautiful open spaces, agricultural land, and amazing wildlife.  In an effort to mitigate noise, it is sometimes proposed that general aviation traffic be sent to these areas.   Indeed, flight school training areas have have already done that, by dividing up these regions for training purposes.   

The touch and go pattern for BDU extends over Sawhill and Walden Ponds, two designated open spaces.   Visitors report it is impossible to enjoy those spaces now with all the GA traffic looping overhead.

Boulder County training areas

Open Space and Mountain Parks Soundscape study

​Boulder County, located at the plains/mountain interface, is a unique, ecologically sensitive area.  With more ecozones than most US counties, the range of wildlife is broad.  With (human) popluation growth and climate change, wildlife is struggling.  Wildlife needs to be able to hear for find food, mates, and avoid predators.  Emissions, including lead, are also toxic to wildlife.  Shunting aircraft over these areas is just another burden for our already highly stressed wildlife.    Doing so for recreation just isn't right.