Pilots Lower Their Takeoff Decibel Level : Aviation: Fullerton fliers intentionally get noisy to find ways to keep quieter for airport neighbors. They listen and learn sound methods.

Municipal Judge Martin Hairabedian Jr. was a major airplane noise offender Saturday, but for a good cause.

Sound monitors on the ground recorded the noise from the judge’s Beechcraft Bonanza at 96.5 decibels as he flew over Fullerton Municipal Airport shortly after noon.

Hairabedian, a Fullerton resident who first took lessons at the airport 35 years ago, was participating in a noise-awareness program for Bonanza owners. The program, sponsored by the airport and the Fullerton Airport Pilots Assn., was aimed at making pilots aware of how much noise their aircraft make at full power compared to cutting power back after liftoff, airport director Roland Elder said.

After his second takeoff, Hairabedian reduced the engine speed and adjusted the angle of his propeller as he flew over the Buena Park homes at the end of the runway. The result: the noise measured on the ground decreased 14 decibels.

“Our hopes are to get pilots to fly this way so we can be better neighbors with Buena Park,” said Robert McNutt, head of the Fullerton Pilots Assn. and president of a Fullerton manufacturing company.

Buena Park officials have been fighting to close the airport or restrict flights, citing 11 crashes in Buena Park since 1966, including one Sept. 13, 1989, which injured a student pilot and her instructor.

Fullerton officials invited the Buena Park City Council and top officials to Saturday’s demonstration, but none came.

“I’m really disappointed the elected officials from Buena Park weren’t here,” said Fullerton Mayor A.B. (Buck) Catlin, who watched the demonstration from a corner of the airport. “We’re in this together to solve the problems.”

Buena Park Councilwoman Rhonda J. McCune, contacted at home Saturday afternoon, said she had no interest in attending the event.

“I think it’s just a P.R. thing for the airport,” she said.

Despite attempts by pilots to cut down on noise, the airport is still unsafe, McCune said. Small airplanes have crashed right after takeoff into Buena Park neighborhoods, and the planes are also a collision danger to commercial jetliners in the crowded Southern California skies, she said.

McNutt and other pilots see it differently.

Flying still is much safer than driving, McNutt said, and safety is a major concern for pilots.

“We’re hoping the citizens can meet us halfway and not try to shut us down,” he said. “At least we’re doing our part to help the situation here.”

For the past four years, pilots at the airport have studied noise generated by takeoffs and have come up with methods to reduce it, McNutt said. Saturday’s demonstration was the first time the association ever tested a large number of one type of aircraft, he said.

The Beechcraft Bonanza was tested first because, as a class of small airplanes, it’s the noisiest, he said. The biggest problem is that the propeller spins so quickly, producing an unpleasant vibration, he said.

Pilots inside the cockpit aren’t aware of the noise, which is why showing them results of sound measurements help them remember to fly more quietly, McNutt said.

Hairabedian, who said he sometimes does not use the noise-reduction takeoff techniques when his plane is fully loaded, was surprised that the noise made by his V-tail Bonanza decreased so much by cutting back power.

He said he understands the concern Buena Park residents have about safety and noise at the airport.

However, “if we get rid of the airport for safety reasons, we should get rid of all the cars around here too,” he said.

Elder, who flew his Bonanza in the tests, said he believes pilots benefit by being reminded of noise. He also hopes the public will see that pilots are working on being better neighbors, he said.

Pilots must make the ultimate decision on whether to use the noise-reducing techniques, but demonstrations like Saturday’s show them the methods are safe and effective, he said.

“We don’t need to educate the public about noise,” Elder said. “They’re already experts. They know how loud the airport is. We need to make our pilots aware.”