What’s that aircraft noise? Alert from Boeing Field

Next week, through Memorial Day, events at the Museum of Flight just might make things a little noisier over West Seattle. So a community alert is being circulated by Boeing Field, which is run by King County – read on:

Community Notice

We have been advised by the Museum of Flight that upcoming flight events may create noisy conditions for communities surrounding Boeing Field, such as the neighborhoods of Georgetown, Beacon Hill, Magnolia, West Seattle; and portions of Renton and Tukwila:

Beginning on May 21 and lasting through Memorial Day weekend, the Museum of Flight is hosting B-17 Bomber tours and rides on the Seattle-born Aluminum Overcast; and a range of vintage military aircraft sponsored by the Cascade War Birds Fly In.

Residents should be aware that these aircraft are sanctioned by permits from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and are intended for the enjoyment of pilots, fans of aviation history, and the general public.
KCIA is an open-access airport and is not authorized to restrict any aircraft 24/7. To file a noise complaint, please contact 206-205-5242; or online at KCIANoise@kingcounty.gov.

Jordan May 16, 2012 (12:51 pm)

Fly over Fauntleroy… PLEASE!

I love seeing the old planes fly, so much history in them both local and world. Would love nothing so much as getting a great shot of one over the sound in the evening!

bridge to somewhere May 16, 2012 (2:44 pm)

It would be truly ironic for someone in West Seattle to complain about the noise of the lone B-17. It was, after all, at Boeing’s Plant 2, on the Duwamish right down the hill from West Seattle, that the first of more than 6,000 B-17s emerged and flew off to Europe. Those planes helped turn the tide of World War 2, and helped Boeing stay profitable and the Seattle economy humming along.

Thugbee May 16, 2012 (3:01 pm)

How can I get them to fly over my house about 200 feet up on a sunny day with a few puffy white clouds at full throttle? Maybe a couple of times at least.

Oh yeah, and give me a call before so I can run outside with my camera.

Welcome back to Seattle, “Aluminum Overcast”.

sw May 16, 2012 (3:53 pm)

This is AWESOME. Love seeing the old birds in the air, and the noise they make is even better. Bring it on.

Deep In the Heart of Delridge May 16, 2012 (4:59 pm)

Surely the same folks on Pigeon Point who organized and opposed SouthWest Airlines using Boeing Field will be up in arms over these old B17 behemoths cruising our fair sky. That is if they are not downtown moaning to city council about the train noise.

Rumbles May 16, 2012 (5:19 pm)

Airplane noise is always welcome, how else would you know to look up? :)

datamuse May 16, 2012 (5:21 pm)

I won’t complain about the noise, bridge, but I might gripe a bit about how that plant helped turn the Duwamish into a Superfund site. (To Boeing’s credit, they ARE cleaning it up.)
.
Be cool to see those planes in the air, though. I hope I’m home when they fly so I can watch them from my deck.

Mr Matt May 16, 2012 (5:41 pm)

Are they already in town? I heard a bunch of multi-engine prop noise when I was out doing the lawns yesterday evening but thought it sounded more like a C-130 or some such.

Now I’m honestly curious as to how much a ride on that ol’ B-17 would be. :)

Mr Matt May 16, 2012 (5:44 pm)

Phew $750:

http://www.museumofflight.org/event/2012/may/19/boeing-b-17-ground-school

JayDee May 16, 2012 (6:39 pm)

The other one that used to visit burned to the ground in one of those I-states last year :-( Fortunately no one was hurt.
–
I suspect this raised the price–it was $450.

clark5080 May 16, 2012 (8:23 pm)

Never thought of the B-17 as being noisy. As far as the cost I bet a lot of the increase is fuel cost’s to keep these beauty’s flying

george May 16, 2012 (9:36 pm)

Genesee has been in full flight mode this afternoon/tonight. Lots of corporate jets taking off north and cutting over Admiral/Genesee. Plus the big UPS freighters too, going west under the commercial fights to SeaTac. Interesting Boeing Field is taking off to the north while SeaTac is landing to the south.

WSB May 16, 2012 (9:57 pm)

Thanks, George, someone e-mailed us to ask about that …

Mike May 16, 2012 (10:00 pm)

George, I noticed the same thing. One of the UPS jets was banking hard to the SW at an extremely low altitude over Alki tonight. I actually thought it was having a malfunction it was so odd to see in that sharp of a turn that low. A smaller (corporate sized) jet was flying at a higher altitude heading North at the same time.

WSB May 16, 2012 (10:32 pm)

It shouldn’t … I am going to check with Boeing Field/etc. tomorrow, several people now have e-mailed us about this. – TR

Rich May 17, 2012 (8:04 am)

Check out Saturday (Armed Forces Day) at the Museum as well, three military helicopters in to support the Flag raising ceremony.

likes54 May 17, 2012 (10:21 am)

It’s not to late to sign up for the B-17 ground school and get a ride as well. I am one of the instructors so when you get there let me know that you are one of my West Seattle neighbors.

B-17 and Stratoliner restorer and airplane junkie.

Kirstan May 17, 2012 (10:33 am)

The cost of the B-17 ride by itself is still $450 — the higher price is for the ‘ground school’ event, which includes both a ride and a bunch of extras like a preflight tour by B-17 veterans. Worth the extra if you’re a history buff, though. If you’re interested in just the ride, you can find more info at http://www.b17.org/ .

DD May 17, 2012 (10:39 am)

The B-17 will arrive on the 21st, and Flights will start on Thursday, May 24th continuing through the weekend. The $750 price you saw was for a special 2 day ground school which included a flight on Aluminum Overcast, along with a bunch of other goodies. Flights alone are still $449 if you book now, $475 for Walk-up.

http://www.b17.org/

Ground tours will also be available for $10

Thanks for all the great comments! We’ll do our best to fly over all of your houses on a sunny day!

Betty Sherman May 17, 2012 (10:45 am)

To those that commented on thr price of the ride:
Last year I learned that the cost of running an engine of Aluminum Overcast was then $50.00 an hour, so 4 engines = $200 an hour. With the increase in the cost of aviation fuel, I’m certain that number has increased,along with the other costs of operation. They will take credit cards and split the cost over 3 or 4 payments.

Sorry, comment time is over.