According to a recent news story, entitled “New
flight Paths Angering Residents in Phoenix, Other Cities,” the Federal Aviation
Administration has begun implementing a new system of “new satellite-based
arrival and departure paths” that it feels will “replace an outdated network of
radar and radio communications with satellite-based and digital communications”
(Tang). But there have been some problems with this roll-out – new flight paths
are negatively affecting those on the ground.
According
to the article, revitalized downtown neighborhoods are being bombarded with the
“jarring” sounds and vibrations of these newly routed flights, and the
residents are considering filing a lawsuit because of decreased quality of life
and property values. The FAA, for their part, keep reiterating their commitment
to safety and to trying to find ways to improve emissions, flight times, and
the travel experience in general.
Nowhere in that list is a commitment to the masses on the ground. After all, there are other government
agencies tasked with protecting the general public.
On
the one hand, I understand how compartmentalized government agencies are – and
that it often seems that one is shaking your hand while the other is slapping
your face. That being said, it has
always been my opinion that problems should be solved by the following
strategies (1) do no harm (or as little as possible), and (2) try to consider
the good of the greatest number of people.
I believe that implementing these new flight plans over established
neighborhoods is wrong.
Tang,
Terri. “New flight Paths Angering Residents
in Phoenix, Other Cities.” Yahoo. 24
February 2015. Web. 18 April 2015.
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