MESA, Ariz. (AP) — After urging pilots to takeoff in a different direction, Mesa says the noise level at Falcon Field is down dramatically.
Complaints have dropped to their lowest level in more than two years.
Despite the quieter skies, aviation officials continue working to reduce noise at the nation's fourth busiest general aviation airport.
Noise complaints began declining late last year, from 30 or more per month to none in June.
In 2007, airport officials said Falcon Field typically generated two or three complaints per month and remained low even after the February 2007 arrival of a flight training school.
But by late 2008, three dozen or more complaints started rolling in a month.
The noise went down after the airport asked pilots to use the north runway. Recently, about 60 percent of planes have been taking off to the north.
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Information from: East Valley Tribune, http://www.eastvalleytribune.com
