Environmental protection and conservation is a key issue for the success of our service and as part of the planning process, research has been undertaken on any environmental impact the operation of a seaplane service might have within the National Park or any other operating area. We are confident we can meet and exceed current and proposed protection standards.
In a five year study of the environmental effects of Seaplanes, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers concluded: Air Quality: no impact Water Quality: no impact Soil Quality: no impact Wildlife: no impact Fisheries: no impact Noise: similar to that created by a large speedboat.
Further, Seaplanes do not store or discharge oily bilge water or sewage. Seaplanes are not treated with toxic anti-fouling paints. Unlike boats, exhaust from seaplane engines is discharged into the air well above the water's surface where it can dissipate without impacting water quality. Aviation fuel does not contain MTBE, a toxic additive found in automotive and marine fuels. A Seaplane's propeller is entirely above the water and thus does not disturb sediments or marine life. Seaplanes generate no more than a 2 to 3 inch wake - not enough to be a factor in shoreline erosion.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has a fleet of Seaplanes that are used for the safe and efficient surveillance of wildlife
In essence, it can be said that: Seaplanes leave no trace of their visit.
Ensuring low noise levels is a key target for the flying club, especially when operating in and around residential and conservation areas. Noise from take off and landing is related to the type of aircraft and the horsepower of the engine.
Noise from take-off falls within acceptable limits.
The decibel level of between 65 and 75db is less than the output from a Jet ski and is comparable to most pleasure craft.
Seaplane noise can be summarized as follows; Most noise on take-off Almost no noise on landing and taxi to the shore Noise from propeller tips - not exhaust Directional - perpendicular to the direction of travel Lasts for only 20-30 seconds Less noise energy in a year than one jet fighter in one minute
Many steps can and will be taken to reduce the noise impact of the seaplane. For example; Noise abatement routings specially constructed and changed daily, GPS to allow accurate routings to be flown
Even although a seaplane may be clearly audible the total amount of sound energy will generally be low and not greatly different from that of other sounds occurring normally - it's just different!
The sound of a seaplane may be more annoying, to some people, than that of a motorcycle or jet ski or chain saw, but the total amount of sound energy from seaplanes is very small when compared to other environmental sounds.
Although Seaplanes generate noise levels comparable to large motorboats, that noise lasts for only the 20-30 seconds - the time that a seaplane requires to take off and depart the area - it is brief and transitory!
Safety of passengers and of other users of waterways is of paramount importance and extensive research has been undertaken in the US on examples of seaplanes operating in lakes, harbours and other expanses of water alongside other water traffic.
For example, Lake Union is a 580-acre lake in downtown Seattle. The lake is a popular recreation spot for sailboats, motorboats, kayaks, and personal watercraft, as well as a heavily travelled public transport link between Lake Washington and Puget Sound.
Lake Union is also home (since 1946) to the largest commercial seaplane operator in North America, Kenmore Air Harbour.
Boaters on Lake Union do not receive any special training for operating around seaplanes and there are no markings or special use areas established on the lake.
Boaters are not licensed. Seaplane pilots are trained to take advantage of their lofty vantage point, both in the air and on the water, to pick and choose safe operating areas, avoid boats, and steer clear of obstacles.
If a confliction is observed the pilot conducts a go-around and/or delays landing.
With more than 30,000 take-offs and landings each year there has never been a seaplane accident on Lake Union in the last 57 years.
In a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report covering 13 years of Seaplane flying in the U.S.A. (possibly 10 million flying hours) only three accidents, resulting in three fatalities, involved boats.
In the same 13 year study period there were over 12,000 fatalities involving boats and during a recent 5 year period boats collided with other vessels 11,174 times From a statistical standpoint Boat/Seaplane accidents are nearly non-existentDo other National Parks allow seaplanes and what's their policy viewpoint on noise pollution and safety?
The Canadian National Park Service (NPS), US NPS, Australian Great Barrier Reef, New Zealand amongst many other countries all use seaplanes within their Park Service not only to assist in Park management, but they also license professional operators to provide a tour and charter service. US NPS managers believe that aviation is essential to the management of many national parks. Parks and visitors benefit from the administrative use of aircraft for search and rescue, science and resource management, fire-fighting, law enforcement, maintenance, etc. Some Park services have developed strict policies on allowable noise levels, for example, the Canadian National Park Service have mandated that turbine- driven seaplanes are the only acceptable standard for any aircraft operator within the Park due to its very low noise combination of aircraft and engine.
Any examples of where seaplanes and boats work happily and safely together?
Lake Union in Seattle is about 3% of the size of Loch Lomond and is a busy and popular recreation spot with sailboats, motorboats, kayaks as well as a public transport link. It's also home to the US's largest and longest established seaplane operator, Kenmore Air Harbour. In 57 years and more than 30,000 take offs and landings each year, there has never been a seaplane accident on Lake Union. This is in effect due to the specialized training undertaken by pilots and their ability to take advantage of their vantage point to identify safe landing areas and avoid any obstacles.During 13 years of Seaplane flying in the U.S.A. (possibly 10 million flying hours) only three accidents involved boats - three fatalities In the same 13-year study period there were over 12,000 fatalities involving boats. During a recent 5 year period boats collided with other vessels 11,174 times
From a statistical viewpoint, boat/seaplane accidents are nearly non-existent.
Just how environmentally friendly are seaplanes?
In a 5 year study of the environmental effects of Seaplanes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers concluded: Air Quality: no impact Water Quality: no impact Soil Quality: no impact Wildlife: no impact Fisheries: no impact Hydrology: no impact
Noise: similar to that created by a large speedboat
Taking off and landing on a busy summer's day sounds dangerous. Won't there be safety implications? Commercial operations around the world, in areas far busier than the area proposed show that seaplanes have an exemplary safety record. Statistically, seaplanes are safer than other water based craft. Pilots have a very high level of training to identify safe landing areas and this includes nautical training too as the seaplane, once landed, behaves like any other watercraft. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is the authoritative body and has strict guidelines and rules on safety management and the level of pilot experience required to operate a seaplane.
