T.A.N.G. update – February 2015

WHO ARE WE? A broad consensus of residents and multiple ratepayer associations from midtown Toronto neighbourhoods negatively affected by the highly concentrated arrivals route at Pearson International Airport. The new flight path was unfairly implemented in February 2012 by Nav Canada without effective consultation that included affected communities and their elected representatives.

WHAT ARE WE EXPERIENCING? A disproportionate amount of excessive noise from whining, low flying aircraft that represents approximately 40 percent of all arrivals at Pearson’s 24 hour operation. Sleep disruption and other accompanying health risks are presenting themselves and are of great concern.

WHAT ARE WE ASKING FOR? T.A.N.G. is committed to achieving an amended airspace design which takes a more balanced, community sensitive approach to safe flight traffic for Toronto residents.

WHAT HAVE WE DONE? Over the last three years T.A.N.G. has engaged with local, provincial and federal politicians, made representations at the Community Environmental Noise Advisory Committee, met with Toronto’s Chief Medical Officer, undertaken extensive research on why and how Nav Canada created this intolerable flight path, attempted to engage with Nav Canada and, most importantly, made two submissions to the Honourable Lisa Raitt, MP, Minister of Transport in which we have proposed solutions.

Our most recent submission to the Minister, dated November, 2014 was prepared for us by an active airline captain with 35 years’ experience. Captain Inch believes that the current flight path, and others at Pearson, not only cause much more aviation noise than is necessary but also burn more fuel and extend flight times. His submission, prepared on behalf of T.A.N.G. for the Minister of Transport, proposes detailed solutions to the unacceptable noise under which we live, many kilometres from the airport. These solutions focus on an arrivals profile which keeps aircraf higher and also an amendment to the path which reduces the time over residential areas and follows a shorter approach to Pearson. Because of the time and cost savings involved these solutions are proving to be of interest to airlines and other air industry professionals. Captain Inch has now had discussions with Transport Canada staff and representatives from Nav Canada on these proposals. These discussions have been facilitated by MP John Carmichael, Don Valley West and the Minister’s office. We
have recently been informed by the Minister that “our submissions will be considered as a part of our evaluation process.”

We are confident that, with this submission to the Minister, we have been able to demonstrate clearly that there are innovative and effective solutions to the noise problem created three years ago by Nav Canada. We look to the Minister to ensure that the work now underway results in the implementation, in a timely manner, of these or other viable proposals for relief from aircraft noise.

The submission can be read in full on our website, listed under the Inch Report

Please add your voice to ours by emailing the Minister with your concerns: ac.cg1728683090.lrap1728683090@1c.t1728683090tiar.1728683090asil1728683090