Pilots Test New Flight Path To Teterboro Airport
HACKENSACK, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Pilots are flying a new approach route to a New Jersey airport following a two-month delay caused by technical difficulties and bad weather.
The flight path to Teterboro Airport was officially introduced in April and sparked protests from communities that it could affect.
More than 200 planes have used the path since mid-June and those living under it have registered only a small number of complaints.
The Port Authority, which owns the airport, has received 13 complaints from nine people.
But officials in Mahwah, more than 15 miles north of the airport, say 50 residents have complained about increased noise.
"They're sitting on their back decks enjoying their time outside with their families, and here comes a jet at about 2,000, 3,000 feet. So it's unusual for us, we have never been subjected to this," Mahwah Mayor Bill Laforet said.
The path is intended to divert some arriving jets from a path that's close to Hackensack University Medical Center. The route was shifted west and pilots rely on landmarks and track Route 17 to stay away from homes, schools and hospitals.
Federal Aviation Administration officials said other aircraft regularly use that airspace.
The FAA intends to run the test until Oct. 4.
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