NAS WHITING FIELD

Q: Which roads would be moved to expand the fields, and how would road access be provided?
A: Only roads within a Class I clear zone would be moved. For Alternatives 1 and 4, extension of the north-south runway at Summerdale NOLF would require moving County Road 36 to the south around the end of the extended runway. At Barin NOLF, one corner of Doc McDuffie Road would be relocated around the end of the extended runway. Alternative routes would be established for any relocated road during construction.

Q: Why can’t the Navy relocate to a more remote area for its training activities?
A: NAS Whiting Field requires that the NOLFs used for training be located within a reasonable distance from the main field in order to efficiently schedule training flights and meet flight schedules. The existing NOLFs are located at optimum distances to meet that purpose. Relocation of fields to more remote areas would not meet the Navy’s training requirements and would reduce the effectiveness of NAS Whiting Field as a Navy training base.

Q: Are the new T-6 aircraft much noisier than the current T-34 aircraft?
A: No. Both planes are single-engine turboprop aircraft with almost the same noise signature. The T-6 aircraft has more horsepower and is heavier than the T-34, but both aircraft are significantly quieter than conventional piston-driven aircraft.

Q: How will property access be affected for landowners whose property is purchased for Class I and Class III clear zones?
A: Access will be provided for any property owners across Class III zones or around Class I zones purchased by the Navy.

Q: Why can’t I keep my house in a Class III clear zone if it only requires trimming trees to the glide slope level?
A: The clear zones are designed to reduce the impact of an accident if a plane crash did occur. These zones are the most likely areas for a student pilot accident, hence the requirement that no structures are allowed for public safety reasons.

Q: How will the field expansion affect my property values?
A: The NOLFs being considered for expansion have been in place since the 1940s. Any adjustment in property values due to proximity to any of the fields has already occurred, and the field expansions would not significantly affect the value of any properties not within any clear zones for any of the fields.

Q: Will you clear-cut the clear zones, and will this contribute to soil erosion problems?
A: Only the Class I clear zones at the end of each runway will be cleared of vegetation and leveled. Grass will be planted in Class I zones once they are cleared to prevent soil erosion. Class III clear zones will not be cleared; only tall trees will be trimmed to provide flight clearance above the landing glide slope. Roads and driveways are permitted in Class III clear zones.

Q: Barin Field is right next to the Foley Beach Expressway. Won’t expansion of this field affect the new expressway and increase the safety risk for vehicles traveling there?
A: The Foley Beach Expressway is located within the proposed Class III clear zone for the east-west runway at Barin Field. The location of the road would not be affected, and vehicles traveling on that road would be well below the glide slope of planes landing there.

Q: How will access to Coleman Road be affected due to expansion of Barin Field?
A: Coleman Road will not be affected, since it is located in a Class III clear zone, and roads and driveways are permitted in Class III zones.

Q: Why do the Navy planes have to fly so low over my house?
A: The NOLFs are used for student pilots to practice landings and takeoffs, and approaches for landings. In order to land at one of the fields, of necessity, the aircraft must approach at a low altitude. Touch-and-go landings involve repetitive landings and takeoffs without stopping the aircraft; and the planes will circle for these repetitive landings at a low altitude in order to complete the procedures in as short a time as possible, due to the high volume of students being trained.

Q: How will power lines and telephone lines be affected?
A: If overhead power or telephone lines are located in a Class I clear zone, then they will be relocated outside of those zones. It they are located in a Class III clear zone, they will be relocated if the height of the poles interferes with the glide slope elevation.

Q: How will I be compensated for the loss of my home and property if it is purchased by the Navy?
A: Federal regulations and actions pertaining to property purchase are outlined in the NEPA Process page of this website.