County holds meeting to discuss Montgomery County Airpark activities

On December 14, county officials, leaders of the Montgomery County Airpark, residents, neighbors, pilots and flight instructors met virtually to talk about and voice concerns regarding the airpark’s operations. Earlier this year, the county council disbanded the former Airpark Liaison Committee, which served the community since 1990, and was the venue for residents and pilots to discuss safety and quality of life issues around the airpark. This was the second forum this year to address concerns at the airpark; the first was held in June, though without the ability for public comment during the meeting.

Residents who live near the airpark and in the flight path of planes were generally concerned with the increased plane noise and number of “touch-and-go” flights” performed on a daily basis. “Touch-and-go” flights are a training exercise where pilots land on a runway and take off again without coming to a full stop. Over the last several years, the number of flight schools at the airpark has increased, causing more of these types of training exercises.

Pilots and some neighboring residents agreed that the training is necessary, citing a nationwide shortage in pilots. It was also noted that the airpark is a valuable economic resource in the county, as well as a source of tax revenue for the county and state. A 2018 state of Maryland report showed the airpark was responsible for nearly 200 jobs, and generated more than $5.75 million in revenue annually. Some residents and former and current elected officials agreed, noting the value the airpark brings to the region, but were hoping a compromise on the operating hours and number of “touch-and-gos” could be reached.

Others on the call related positive impacts the airpark has, such as recent job creation during the pandemic, as well as the educational reach flight school and local airports can have on aerospace engineering. Some felt the recent complaints were exaggerated.

Since June 2021, the county council’s Office of Legislative Oversight has been looking into the issues and increased complaints about the airpark. Keith Miller, CEO of the Montgomery County Revenue Authority (the agency that operated the airpark) noted the report of those complaints was being finalized. Miller noted the number of complaints has increased significantly since 2020, with a large percentage coming from “four unique households.”

Special Assistant to County Executive Marc Elrich Dale Tibbitts noted that the county executive’s office was in the process of hiring a consultant to help evaluate the ongoing issues at the airpark. He noted the consultant was being funded by the county executive’s budget, and not the revenue authority, which makes spending decisions for the airpark.

Future meetings regarding concerns at the airpark will be announced online or in the Village News as MVF is made aware of them.