Report on Circling Aircraft over Four Hills Village
I had noticed a small Cessna-like aircraft circling Four Hills Village for hours at a time over the course of the last several weeks. I contacted the Airport Director at Sunport. His deputy, Rachel Harding, gave me a call back (24 hour turnaround- pretty good!). Because I was able to give them the general description of the plane, its flight path, time of day, and approximate altitude, they were able to identify the culprits and tell me what is going on.
The Cessna (a small single engine, high wing aircraft) that I have been seeing/ hearing is part of a pair of small planes making a survey over Albuquerque. They are flying legally but just at the lower limit of the designated airspace. The one plane, our semi-constant visitor, flies circles about 4-5 miles in diameter in a counter clockwise pattern at 9,000 to 10,000 feet Mean Sea Level while its companion flies parallel flight lines at about the same altitude (as if he/she were ploughing a field). Even the Albuquerque Flight Control was surprised that they stayed up as much as 6 hours at a time! They do not know when the project will be finished but that explains the long lasting droning in the sky.
Reference: the phone number of the Airport Director is 505-244-7899. They do maintain a Noise Hotline with the phone number of 505-842-2007, and have another point of contact on their website abqsunport.com, under Flights, then Flight Tracking /Noise Complaints. They also have an image of current flights on a program called “Symphony” (for security it has a 10 minute delay built in). If you do wish to make a complaint or comment they ask that you give them the day, the time, and the duration of the incident.
- Rusty Report dated 24 July 2020, 10:10 am
The Cessna (a small single engine, high wing aircraft) that I have been seeing/ hearing is part of a pair of small planes making a survey over Albuquerque. They are flying legally but just at the lower limit of the designated airspace. The one plane, our semi-constant visitor, flies circles about 4-5 miles in diameter in a counter clockwise pattern at 9,000 to 10,000 feet Mean Sea Level while its companion flies parallel flight lines at about the same altitude (as if he/she were ploughing a field). Even the Albuquerque Flight Control was surprised that they stayed up as much as 6 hours at a time! They do not know when the project will be finished but that explains the long lasting droning in the sky.
Reference: the phone number of the Airport Director is 505-244-7899. They do maintain a Noise Hotline with the phone number of 505-842-2007, and have another point of contact on their website abqsunport.com, under Flights, then Flight Tracking /Noise Complaints. They also have an image of current flights on a program called “Symphony” (for security it has a 10 minute delay built in). If you do wish to make a complaint or comment they ask that you give them the day, the time, and the duration of the incident.
- Rusty Report dated 24 July 2020, 10:10 am
COVID-19
Stagecoach Lane Traffic Calming Proposal
This is the proposed solution recommended by the City of Albuquerque to slow traffic (Speeding) on Stagecoach Lane SE from Stagecoach Road to Sagebrush Lane SE. This solution is based on a recent traffic study that was conducted on Stagecoach Lane in April/May 2018. The City of Albuquerque is also looking at a similar solution for calming speeding traffic on Wagon Train/Stagecoach SE from the Y through the intersection of Cautro Cerros Trail SE. Residents of Four Hills Village have been asked politely to slow down. The City may and can installed other like devices to prevent speeding at their discretion.
| stagecoach_lane_traffic_calming.pdf |
Your Personal Wildland Fire Action Guide
| ready_set_go.pdf |
The file below was compiled by a retired Albuquerque Police Department Deputy Chief. It's easy reading and a great starting point to keeping you, your loved ones, and your property safer and more secure.
| 20160222_paul_feist_keeping_home_safe.pdf |
The file below was compiled by the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office East Area Command. It's also easy reading and full of good information.
| bernalillo_county_sheriffs_office_safety_and_security_tips_feb_2016.pdf |
There are things we can all do to enhance our personal safety. We are blessed to live in a pretty safe society, so it's natural to become complacent and it takes effort to train ourselves to turn up our situational awareness just a bit. Things like being aware of what's going on around you as you walk through a parking lot are not hard to do, but it takes some work to make them habits. You have to remember to look around for more than just the car you don't want to get run over by. If something doesn't look right, trust your instincts and move away. If there's a van without windows parked too close to your car, maybe get someone to watch you get into yours. Think about not going to a bank ATM at night if you don't absolutely have to because you can't be as situationally aware at night. This isn't about living scared at all. It's just about being more aware and proactive. Being more situationally aware is empowering.
Safety and Security page last updated 25 July 2020