West Flight Pattern over Altus becomes normal practice

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Jennifer Seidl
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  The 97th Air Mobility Wing's training mission requirements have changed, driving the development of a new flight pattern, which during the past six months has become standard practice for aircrews here.

The west pattern has resulted in a significant enhancement to support required training on night vision goggles. The Altus AFB west pattern is used from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. Monday through Friday. Aircraft in the west pattern must maintain an altitude of 1,500 feet above the ground before turning to the west, and must remain east of Park Lane at any time they are over the city of Altus. By using this new pattern to accomplish the required training, the base is doubling the training capacity of the airfield for visual flight rules operations while simultaneously decreasing the risk of mid-air collisions by providing a wider space for aircraft to operate in.

"The addition of the west pattern has really helped us simplify our training operations," said Colonel Ty Thomas, 97th Air Mobility Wing commander. "When we perform NVG training on our east runway with the runway lighting 'blacked out,' we can still do VFR training on our west runway with normal lighting, simultaneously and yet safely."

The new flight pattern was initiated April 6 after a full year of research and three noise impact studies by more than one agency to determine the environmental impact of the pattern, to include noise pollution. The studies found that aircraft over Park Lane create not more than 81 decibels, equivalent to temporary high urban ambient sound.

Residents of the city of Altus in areas included in the West Pattern can potentially experience temporary decibel levels akin to some construction equipment noises such as an air compressor or generator 50 feet away, or such as one might find at a raceway 150 feet away from the track on race night.

As part of the General Plan-Based Impact Analysis Process, the base placed sensitive noise receptors along the flight track of the planned west pattern. With consideration for number-of-passes-per-year, the west pattern was found to have no significant impact, with "no effect on land use either on or off installation from flight operations." This document may be reviewed at the Southern Prairie Library, 421 N. Hudson, Altus, Okla.

"We made a significant public awareness effort back in April as we 'rolled out' our new flight operations pattern," Colonel Thomas said. "At the time, we had some inquiries and complaints, but as the months have passed and our community partners have become used to the west pattern, inquiries and concerns have subsided. We appreciate the understanding and support we've received from the citizens of Altus."

By creating and using the West Pattern, partially over sections of the city of Altus, the 97th AMW is able to increase the quantity and quality of training Airmen receive here with a minimal, periodic impact for the people of Altus, Col. Thomas added.

For more information regarding the new traffic pattern, please contact 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs, 481-7700 or 97amw.pa.uc@altus.af.mil.