Lakeville City Council — Transcript

Thursday, May 8, 2025

Story

Lakeville airport council approves radio frequency change for safety

Airport Manager Update

Aircraft Noise Complaints and Operations Summary

Noise Abatement Recommended Practices Update

Airport 101 and Tour Discussion for Commissioners

Votes (2)

Radio Frequency Change Update

Approved Unanimously

Dissent: None

Moved by Dan Walbert [00:26:07] · Seconded by Steve Getter [00:26:15]

Nick Modders presented a case for changing Airlake's Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) from 123.0 MHz to 123.075 MHz. He highlighted severe congestion on the current frequency due to eight nearby airports, leading to safety concerns similar to driving with a loud radio. The proposed frequency is currently unused within 100 miles, making the change a cost-free safety improvement. Discussion also touched on the broader issue of non-standard radio phraseology by some pilots, contributing to congestion.

Noise Abatement Recommended Practices Update

Approved Unanimously with Amendments

Dissent: None

Moved by Dan Walbert [00:54:15] · Seconded by Adam [00:54:20]

Jennifer Lewis presented a revised noise abatement document. Key proposed changes included a new title ('Noise Abatement Information,' later amended to 'Noise Abatement Best Practices'), specific traffic pattern altitudes, avoiding touch-and-go/stop-and-go at night, and a new designated area for maintenance run-ups. Discussion ensued regarding the practicality of moving maintenance run-ups, with Adam and Pat Monahan emphasizing that most run-ups are short and that mechanics won't relocate tools. Adjustments were made to the document's language, including specifying 'extended' run-ups and 'unnecessary low-level flyovers.'

Notable Quotes (6)

agenda item number five does say radio frequency change update I think another name for that could be an opportunity to make a major Aviation safety Improvement at the airlake airport

Nick Modders/Pilot at Airlake Airport [00:04:36]
Radio Frequency Change Update

I don't care when you're leaving a VFR pattern that you're at 2500 Fleet you're climbing to 3,500 and going to New Alm that's irrelevant to me and it's not uh standard radio phraseology

Pat Monahan/Pilot, Hanger Owner, RAC Representative to MAC [00:21:05]
Radio Frequency Change Update

So you said why wouldn't we that's that's my question is what what is the downside to changing this is it cost nothing and it's available what um what is the downside is there one I'm not aware of one

Adam [00:21:44]
Radio Frequency Change Update

everything in this document is voluntary so there there's no rules per se but these are suggestions and things that we are um asking Pilots to do to help keep the noise complaint level down to help keep the Airport operating in a standardized way

Jennifer Lewis/MAC Community Relations Coordinator [00:36:20]
Noise Abatement Recommended Practices Update

I think it should be when practical because you know we're obviously performing maintenance and we can't we're not going to pack up all our tools and bring them to the other side of the airport

Adam [00:39:07]
Noise Abatement Recommended Practices Update

in terms of all the reliever airport were the quietest we have the fewest complaints and the compl have always been Airborne not ground based

Pat Monahan/Pilot, Hanger Owner, RAC Representative to MAC [00:41:40]
Noise Abatement Recommended Practices Update

Ordinances & Resolutions (8)

FCC licenseOther

Metropolitan Airports Commission holds the FCC license for the Airlake CTAF.

Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) documentOther

Document providing guidance on how to change airport radio frequencies.

EA (Environmental Assessment)Plan

Ongoing assessment for the proposed runway extension at Airlake Airport.

Ordinance (Rate Increase)Ordinance

Proposed ordinance change related to airport rate increases for commercial tenants, requiring a public hearing.

Noise Abatement Recommended Practices (or Best Practices)Plan

The airport's updated document outlining voluntary measures for pilots to reduce noise.

Fly Neighborly GuideOther

A concise, one-page reference guide for pilots based on the updated Noise Abatement Best Practices document.

Flight Tracker dataOther

Tool used by MAC to investigate noise complaints and provide flight tracking information.

Quarterly Report (Noise Complaints)Other

Report published by MAC summarizing aircraft noise complaints and operations data for reliever airports.

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Lakeville City Council - Lakeville Recorder