Our Opinion: Quieting jets - MC3 proposals sound, feasible

Jet noise never will be eliminated in a town with a busy Air Force base and an international airport, but new recommendations to quell the decibels would provide reasonable relief to a contentious issue.

We urge Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and our city, county, state and federal governments to heed the long-sought proposals, unanimously endorsed by the disparate members of the Military Community Compatibility Committee, known as MC3.

The recommendations are rife with common sense: They would provide some relief to residents living in busy flight patterns, and they would not compromise the safety and security of our important air base.

An increase in flying altitudes, for example, could cut noise by as much as 9.3 decibels, and the change would require only coordination with other aircraft.

Sending helicopters along Interstate 10 instead of 22nd Street is such an obvious move, we're sorry it wasn't done years ago. Slight increases in fuel costs and training time would be more than offset by the improved quality of life for midtown residents.

Likewise, aligning plane flights with railroad tracks makes sense, as it limits the areas subjected to high levels of transportation-related noise.

So does the proposed reduction in nocturnal flights over densely populated neighborhoods.

The MC3 also is proposing greater accountability on both sides of this issue:

Real estate disclosures would be increased for aspiring home buyers, soundproofing of homes would be handled with tax incentives rather than mandates and local governments would have to inform D-M about changes in zoning.

D-M, in turn, would increase its communications with residents, governments and businesses, provide more information to the public and launch a hotline.

A noise-monitoring program would be launched, along with an impartial study on health effects from noise exposure.

We commend the 28 MC3 members for their year-long work, finding common ground to ameliorate the rift between some community members and D-M.

This well-balanced package of recommendations makes concessions to both sides yet goes a long way toward resolving problems for both as well.

Here's hoping the new recommendations quickly take flight.