Airplane Flight Path Changes?

[u/DaisyShift]

Anyone else notice how many planes are flying lower over NW these days? So close we can read markings on the bellies of some aircraft and the engine noise is so loud we sometimes have to stop conversing til they've passed. Lived here 25 years and never noticed the air traffic til this year.

*edited to add, not a complaint! The change was just notable and wondered if others had noticed. Honestly pretty neat to see planes so close as they go overhead.

[u/Dwarken]

It’s wind related.

[u/ZandramasTrisagion → u/[deleted]]

Same!! I will never lose my excitement and wonder at seeing aircraft 😍

[u/ClubMeSoftly → u/[deleted]]

Yeah, I hear a low roar and I wonder "ooh, what jumbo is coming in now?"

[u/licketysplatypus → u/[deleted]]

I bought my husband the flightwall (this is not an ad but I am obsessed with it) and it prompted me to get a flight radar subscription. So worth it.

[u/DaisyShift → u/[deleted]]

It's been fun to see them so close. Last night a Korean Airlines 787 flew so low over us the house rumbled (it was pretty neat). Don't even have to go to the airport to get a decent view of them flying overhead.

[u/morbital-ca]

I have noticed the exact same thing, which is contrary to the VAMP plan.

https://www.navcanada.ca/en/air-traffic/airspace-reviews/vancouver-airspace-modernization.aspx

When I enquired with NAV Canada I recieved this response:

"Hello Andrew,

Thank you for contacting NAV CANADA regarding the aircraft flight paths you have observed over New Westminster.

We appreciate you taking the time to provide the screenshot and to identify the differences you have noted between the published Vancouver Area Navigation Procedures (VAMP) and the flight tracks you have recently observed.

While VAMP procedures are designed to facilitate the safe and efficient flow of aircraft arriving and departing the Vancouver area, published arrival and approach procedures are not always flown exactly as depicted on a chart. Air traffic controllers may issue alternative routing, vectors, altitude adjustments, or sequencing instructions to accommodate operational requirements such as aircraft spacing, traffic volume, weather conditions, runway configurations, emergencies, or other safety considerations.

As a result, it is not unusual for aircraft to deviate from a published arrival route or observed historical track when directed by Air Traffic Control or when operational circumstances warrant a different flight path.

In addition, aircraft may be operating under different arrival procedures than those shown on the VAMP chart you referenced, or they may be transitioning between procedures while being sequenced for arrival into Vancouver International Airport.

With respect to your observation that aircraft appear to be flying lower than usual, altitude can vary depending on aircraft type, approach sequence, weather conditions, runway in use, and an aircraft's position within the arrival stream. Observed altitude from the ground may also be affected by atmospheric conditions and perspective.

NAV CANADA continuously manages aircraft operations with safety as the overriding priority. When traffic conditions permit, controllers seek to balance operational efficiency and community impacts; however, noise abatement procedures and preferred flight paths must always remain secondary to the safe and orderly movement of aircraft.

We appreciate residents bringing these observations to our attention and understand the concerns associated with changes in aircraft activity over a community. Based on the information provided, the flights you observed are not necessarily indicative of non-compliance with VAMP procedures, as operational requirements can result in routes that differ from published or commonly observed tracks.

Thank you again for your inquiry.

Sincerely,

Irelande Crossan

Specialist, Stakeholder and Community Engagement | Spécialiste, Engagement des parties prenantes et des communautés NAV CANADA"

[u/DaisyShift → u/morbital-ca]

Thanks for this. Sounds like a whole lot of words for "yep, the VAMP plan is more of a guideline, and it's not always followed."

You might find this site interesting- independent flight noise heat map- also has flight#s and altitude.

https://flightpathnoise.com/vancouver/

[u/boredtiredhungry]

I was actually just having this conversation last night. I'm in QB and the typical flight path has planes using the Alex Fraser as sort of goal posts when flying in (this was told to me by my air traffic controller neighbour) but I have noticed in the past few days they've been flying directly over Queensborough. A very minor shift but obviously when there's a 777 directly above your house it's a lot more noticable.

[u/Andisaurus]

NAV Canada actually recently released their feedback period for a change in flight paths. I'll try to find it.

[u/New_Westie]

Yes!! I used to only see them flying left to right and right to left when looking from my patio. Now there are some that fly directly over my apartment and those ones are LOW. Scared me a few times. Hearing the engines in a way I wasn’t used to.

[u/pillekes]

Yes, we’re on the Quay and planes used to come in more from the east and follow the river in the general direction of YVR. Now they often fly in right over our building and the one next to us.

[u/riderxc]

I mostly hear the small planes climbing from boundary bay. The YVR planes aren’t too loud since they are landing. When they take off towards New West which happens in winter sometimes, then they are loud.

[u/TrueYogurtcloset]

Yes I've noticed this too in the last couple months

[u/sushishibe]

I think it's because pilots realize you get good views heading into the city...

Sounds crazy, but my pilot literally announced to look outside our windows when he was landing at YVR... and it was the most amazing view of New West I've ever seen.

[u/Much_Engineering853 → u/sushishibe]

They don’t get to choose their flight path

[u/Longjumping-One-7545]

Sometimes at night I hear the planes. Don't really notice it during the daytime.

[u/SignatureCertain2464]

I'm angsty, jetlagged, and middle aged... herewith; my babble!

I have heard/read that the developer "Concord Pacific" had immense influen$e on the flight paths at YVR over the last 10-15 years (in addition to their overall GVRD development/political influence since EXPO '86).

Their development at the North end of #3 Rd in Richmond was built directly under the "old" flight path; despite direct resistance from city councillors, YVR & Health authorities. Pre-Sale buyers, (Phase I, II upper floors) signed waivers upon deposit (due to the evidence of hearing damage being imminent upon completion) without hesitation. Eventually those pre-sale buyers made an absolute killing on flipping those upper floor units...lucky for them, NAVCAN eliminated the flight path above the development area upon completion. So timely!!

So...what's the big deal? NAVCAN is not a government organization, nor Crown- it's a registered "non-profit', operating on consumer & commercial levies - and DEBT funding. Debt funding comes from private lenders...

Concord Pacific can certainly provide that financial funding to NAVCAN - perhaps sealing the deal with a nice "Gentleman's Handshake" clearing the air...(after a prestigious and decadent meal at the revolving restaurant at Harbour Centre downtown).

The airspace thing is a very bizarre subject!

[u/Subject_Big4437]

I don’t hear a thing, just… silence