For those of us within earshot of the coast the jetskis were problem enough this summer to spoil the tranquility of the region.

For some months now, folks living anywhere in the region have had to endure a worse noise – from light aircraft flying back and forth. Sometimes they can be heard for up to 30 minutes as they cruise up and down the coast rather then out to sea where the disturbance might be limited.

This is particularly tedious when they have loud engines and accelerate to gain altitude. Just as with Jetskis, it’s a selfish imposition on the whole population by very few

If anyone can identify who is doing this please reply. If you are disturbed by this please tell the Editor!

Peace be with you!!

Nick.
La Herradura

(Reader’s Letter)

Keywords: La Herradura, Aircraft, Noisey, Beach

Reader’s comment: “There appear to be several types of aviation nuisance involved here. At one end we have training flights, single and twin engine aircraft, more usually at higher altitudes and of fairly brief duration. Then we have the pleasure or sightseeing flights, usually but not always light helicopters that often fly in pairs, swooping low over the bay and buzzing the properties on the higher ground at either end. Finally the kite winged powered hang gliders that again often operate in pairs that seem to sneak along the coast peering into people’s pools and gardens to titillate their eyeballs. Of course finally we have the police and military flights on official business. Which of these would you categorise as causing most nuisance and how would you propose to eliminate this?” – George

Reader’s comment: “In response to George: Thanks for your input but I am specifically referring to light aircraft, either training flights or sight-seeing and they are absolutely not of brief duration. Yesterday I recorded the noise at intervals over a full half hour period – and that was just a sample of what happens many times during the day.
How to eliminate this nuisance? Well as with most things like this it requires a large number of people to raise complaints but to whom? If anyone knows the answer please write!
The other noise nuisances you mention may be annoying but they are certainly brief by comparison.
Thank you Gazette for posting this issue.” – Nick

Reader’s comment: “Unfortunately low flying flights are completely legal if it’s at least 500 feet above the sea or 1,000 feet above the ground. Only reason this doesn’t happen as much over Salobreña and Motril is because that is restricted airspace from ground up to 6,550 feet, however with prior authorisation you can still go down to 1,000 feet above the ground. Most of the air traffic at these altitudes are training flights from flight schools and it’s all strictly legal” – Jack

Reader Replies: “In response to Jack, thanks for the information. I accept that it is necessary to have flight training schools and they have to fly somewhere! It is not necessary to fly repeatedly over densely inhabited areas. I have recordings of them flying over every 10 minutes or so for hours.
Riding a motor bike with ‘normal’ exhaust noise past your house is perfectly legal. Riding the same bike repeatedly past your house at some point becomes a public nuisance. I believe the same is true for a barking dog (especially if it’s riding a motorbike!).
These noises affect a small number of people locally. Jetskis affect a much larger number, those close to the coast.
Emanating from above, this aircraft noise imposes and affects a huge number of people over a very wide area and hence IS a huge public nuisance, hence one has to question if noise from this activity is indeed ‘strictly legal’.
Anyone affected by, and disturbed by the noise can use an APP called Alert Cops to communicate their displeasure.
If anyone knows the possible owner of these aircraft please publish it. Thanks,” – Nick

Reader’s reply: “They are from Velez Malaga Airport. The 2 Companies responsible for most of the noise are Grupo One Air and Aerodynamics. The Noise pollution on an average day is about 6 hours. The scary part is that they just bought extra land to expand their business!!!So it’s highly time to do something about it.” – Frederic Messinger

Reader’s Reply: “It is 8:45am on Nov 12th and they are already flying above. I imagine that many people are annoyed by the noise but have no idea how to deal with it, who to complain to and indeed how many others are also annoyed but it, which at the end of the day will affect the result of any action. Any lawyers reading this? Thanks” – Nick

Reader’s Reply: “9am on Sunday morning Dec 1st and one of the planes is already on its second pass over La Herradura and Almuñécar, spoiling an otherwise beautifully tranquil morning.
If it came from Velez Malaga it must already have imposed also on thousands of people en route.
If I, hopefully with the support of others, find the only way to address this noise pollution is through denouncing the company/ies responsible it would be useful to know 1) who is aware of the noise and 2) who is annoyed by it. Come on folks – put pen to paper!” – Nick