Fewer noise lawsuits: Citizens show understanding for Eurofighter flights

Fewer noise lawsuits: Citizens show understanding for Eurofighter flights

This year, the Laage air base in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania has only received four complaints about noise pollution from military flights, which is a noticeable decline compared to previous years. Uckermark Kurier reported that a total of 67 of these complaints were received in 2022. Despite the continued flight operations, the feedback from citizens is mostly positive - many appreciate the security that is guaranteed by the exercises, especially in view of the tense security situation in Europe.

In the tactical air force squadron 73 "Steinhoff", which trains all German Eurofighter pilots, there were more expressions of thanks from the residents than complaints about aircraft noise. A mayor expressed that the understanding of the practice flights had increased. The training of the pilots is to be significantly intensified in the coming years, with the number of per year -trained pilots of around 16. However, this does not automatically mean an increase in flight operations; Much more is placed on more efficient training methods. Almost two thirds of the training are already in the simulator, which reduces the number of necessary practice flights.

night flights and their controversy

While the complaints go back in Laage, the situation in other areas of Germany looks very different. In Neuburg an der Donau, for example, where night flights of Eurofighers of the Tactical Air Force Squadron 74 take place, the residents have been used to noise for decades. Nevertheless, they keep expressing their dissatisfaction. Br.de reports of almost 50 complaints last year. Hildegard Weis, a resident from Marienheim, explains that she will never get used to the noise, but still supports the troops, which secures around 1,100 jobs in the region.

In Neuburg, the Air Force started a number of night flights that take place per week from Monday to Thursday from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. These flights are necessary to bring the pilots closer to the challenges when assessing speeds and size. Colonel Gordon Schnitger, the squadron's commodore, emphasizes the importance of these exercises for pilot training.

of relief and adaptation requests

Despite the necessary exercises, some residents, including Roland Habermeiner from Zell, pleaded to adapt the night flights to an earlier time, between 6 and 8 p.m. The Air Force has registered the concerns of the citizens, but sees the afterburners and the training times as essential for organizational reasons. The discrepancy between the needs of the residents and the requirements of the training is therefore noticeable.

The noise protection measures on the Laage air base are diverse and include, among other things, that no overflowing flights via Rostock take place and that greater consideration for burials in surrounding communities are taken by choosing alternative incoming routes. The understanding of the citizens is, as it looks, a central element in dealing with aircraft noise, even if some wish that the noise level could be reduced.

Germany plays an important role in the NATO network, and the Eurofighter in Neuburg not only covers national airspace, but also important strategic regions such as the Baltic States and soon Romania. The complexity of the tasks that the Air Force fulfills is reflected in the need to reconcile both the training of the pilots and the needs of the residents. Citizens who have complaints or questions can contact the citizens' phone at 0800/862 07 30 to carry their concerns directly to those responsible. summarizes that aircraft noise in Germany remains a constant topic that both the citizens recorded and the Air Force challenges in their training.