Q. Why does the airport feel an aircraft tracking system/complaint system is necessary?

A. The airport wants to understand the noise concerns and be responsive to its neighboring communities by taking appropriate steps to try and to reduce noise from the airport. To do so we need to analyze the complaints and match those complaints to specific airport activity. Accurate flight track information will be key to evaluating noise issues.

Q. What does this mean for the community? How will it improve the airport’s current status within the neighborhoods of Worthington, northwest Columbus and Dublin?

A. AirScene will improve communication between the The Ohio State University Airport and the community. The system tracks all flights within a 50-mile radius and provides information about each flight including altitude, speed, aircraft type, date, time, departure or arrival information and flight patterns. Because AirScene includes so much information, the Airport staff will be able to provide the community with more detailed and accurate responses to their inquiries.

This ultimately will help us understand the locations where there might be an unusual amount of noise, and make recommendations to the FAA for appropriate solutions.

Q. How credible is this system?

A. AirScene is a state-of-the-art software system and the premier aircraft tracking system in the U.S. that complies with federal standards. AirScene is used by many general aviation and commercial airports.

Q. Does AirScene monitor noise?

A. The AirScene system does not include noise monitors. The Airport will consider using noise monitors once an analysis of the complaints is understood. Since noise is subjective to every individual, the FAA evaluates noise based on analysis of aircraft type and its altitude over the area that has triggered a complaint.