Noise Abatement and Airline Safety Can Work Together

We at America West Airlines Inc. read the recent commentary by Capt. Richard Deeds concerning the John Wayne Airport noise-abatement program (“One-of-a-Kind Noise-Abatement Policy Flies in Face of Safety,” April 14).

Deeds makes several points with which we agree; however, we are compelled to elaborate on some of his observations on the airport’s procedures. While he does not specifically state that the takeoff procedures there are unsafe, he certainly leaves a strong impression that this is, in fact, the case.

When America West began service at the airport in 1985, we worked closely with the Federal Aviation Administration and Boeing to develop an approved departure procedure that would ensure the safety of our passengers and crews, and satisfy the specific noise restrictions of the airport. We provided our crews with upgraded equipment, more powerful engines, specialized training and ongoing evaluations.

Using only FAA-approved procedures, our pilots have safely flown over 23,000 departures from the airport. These individuals are dedicated to safety, and to imply that they would surrender their primary responsibility to meet noise restrictions or to suggest that our pilots’ judgment is affected by competition with other airlines is unconscionable. In doing so, he has questioned their dedication and professionalism.

Some of the problems cited by Mr. Deeds, such as the heavy volume of light aircraft in the area, will exist regardless of the procedures used. Creation of a terminal-control area surrounding John Wayne Airport would vastly increase the safety margin for air-carrier and light-aircraft traffic alike.

JAMES R. CARR, Vice president of flight operations, Newport Beach