Clairmont Heights Civic Association

This letter will provide some basic information about three public meetings to be held within the next several weeks regarding controversial FAA plans to lower the minimum heights at which Hartsfield-Jackson jets can fly over northeast Atlanta by 1,000 feet--or more in some areas (such as over PDK Airport).  

In addition, this letter will provide several brief attachments for your reference or for the reference of anyone else to whom you may forward this message.

As you are aware, Mike Van Wie, Assistant Director of PDK Airport, has argued that the proposed FAA airspace changes over northeast Atlanta would be harmful to the operations at PDK Airport itself.  Beyond that, he also has argued that he feels  that the changes would be damaging to the neighborhoods, and he has taken the extraordinary step of approaching PDK Watch to request its support in opposing the changes!

While PDK Watch has not taken an official stance on the proposed changes at this time (although several of us are quite concerned about them), as part of our commitment to bringing to public attention airport-related issues that might negatively impact our communities, PDK Watch will be sponsoring an open public meeting on Wednesday, February 17, between 7:00 and 9:00 p.m. at the Clairmont Baptist Church, at 3542 Clairmont Road.  

The church is located on the left as you drive north up Clairmont, across from the Plaza Fiesta Shopping Center on the right.  The church has a substantial parking area available.  (Do not confuse the Clairmont Baptist Church with the Briarcliff Baptist Church which is located on the corner of Briarcliff and Clairmont.)

At the February 17 meeting at the Clairmont Baptist Church, we plan to begin with no more than 15 to 20 minutes of basic PDK Watch business. Then Mr. Van Wie will be given no more than thirty minutes to present his arguments against the proposed FAA changes, followed by Mr. Hazen Briggs who will be given no more than thirty minutes to speak in favor of the changes.  The meeting will conclude with at least thirty minutes for questions from the floor, and will end no later than 9:00 p.m.

Mr. Van Wie appears to be chiefly concerned about the potential interference the lower flight ceiling might have for PDK flight operations.  Many of us, on the other hand have been most concerned about the implications of a FAA PowerPoint slide that was omitted when the FAA's PowerPoint presentation was shown to local airport administrators. 

The FAA slide in question was sent inadvertently to Mr. Van Wie when he requested a copy of their PowerPoint presentation.  The slide shows future FAA plans to bring regular Hartsfield-Jackson descent traffic down almost directly over PDK Airport, likely at about 6,500 feet above sea level (5500 feet above us) , whereas such traffic currently flies further north of us at more than 8,000 feet above sea level. The slide in question has been copied below.  I personally find its implications quite worrisome.

I'll be sending out a more detailed call to attend the February 17 meeting, as widely as possible, by the middle of this coming week, likely on Wednesday, February 10.

If folks cannot attend the February 17 meeting, there will be an earlier meeting this coming Thursday, February 11 (details below) at the Chamblee Civic Center at 6 p.m. at which PDK Airport Director Remmel will present PDK Airport's arguments against the proposed FAA changes.

Then on March 1, at 3:00, 5:00, and 7:00 p.m. the FAA will explain its reasons in favor of the changes, also at the Chamblee Civic Center, and explain the procedures for written public comment, which must be received in triplicate no later than April 4.

Note, however, that the PDK Watch meeting on February 17 will be the only one at which individuals will be speaking both against and for the the proposed changes.

Thank you for your interest.  I'll keep you fully abreast of plans as they develop further.  Let me know any time if I may be of further assistance.

Larry Foster