Written by 
A Wikimedia Commons image of a Learjet 45. There were two Learjet 45 arrivals in Renton overnight, along with several other business jet arrivals and departures.
In previous posts I shared that Renton airport was being actively marketed as a business jet center for the first time, and that we were going to start getting round-the-clock jet operations if we didn’t stick to our Airport Sustainability Management Plan.
The Mayor responded by publishing his “Plane Speak” memo which included the nonsense assertion that the airport would be closed when the tower was closed (something that isn’t true and would not be allowed by FAA). Here is a quote from the memo: “Will Renton Municipal Airport be opened up to 24/7 jet traffic? No, any business operations will be subject to the air traffic control tower operation hours – from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM in winter; and 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM during summer.”
After hearing some jet activity last night, I took a look at the flight tracker to see how much traffic we are starting to get on a typical night.
The FlightAware flight tracker shows five business jet arrivals in Renton last night. A Cessna Citation from Milwaukee at 9:51 PM, A Gulfstream G200 from Chicago at 12:31 AM, A Learjet 45 from Anchorage at 2:56 AM, A Bombardier Challenger 600 from Bakersfield (Meadows Field) at 1:00 AM, and a Learjet 45 from Juneau at 12:52 AM.
There were also two overnight departures, a Learjet 45 left for Juneau at 2:26 AM, and a Bombardier Challenger 600 departed for Portland at 1:40 AM.
There were no propeller aircraft operating at these hours; only jets in Renton in the middle of the night.
As we get into the summer months and residents begin leaving windows open at night, the noise from these jets will likely become a bigger issue. If residents become concerned, they should write to the Council at council@rentonwa.gov, and ask the Council to adhere to the Renton Airport Management Sustainability Plan to keep our community airport from turning into a regional jet center.
Renton airport arrival data for last night, pulled from Flight Aware flight tracker
Renton airport departure data for last night, pulled from Flight Aware flight tracker
Recent Comments