Just buzz off!

Ocean Shores local Kevin Bunn looks up as yet another plane heads up to swoop and circle overhead. Kevin wants the constant buz

A lovely house high on the hill with wrap-around decks to put the feet up, watch the whales and enjoy the peaceful North Coast lifestyle.

But Kevin and many of his neighbours have come to dread school holidays, as well as Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, and particularly if the weather is fine, for that is joy flight time.

"I am getting a bit annoyed at having our homes constantly buzzed by light aircraft," said Kevin.

"They fly right over the middle here at what appears to be a very low height, then fly round and round in circles overhead.

"To make matters worse, they have to apply a lot more power when doing tight turns and this makes for even more noise."

Since these manoeuvres can go on all day, often with four or five planes each hour circling at full throttle, it is difficult for many Ocean Shores residents to enjoy some peace and quiet on their decks or in their gardens.

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has advised Kevin that aircraft are required to remain at 1000 feet above built-up areas, and that if he has concerns about aircraft flying in a dangerous manner, he needs to record the registration number in order to report it to CASA.

Kevin has no doubts that many planes are flying well below the 1000 feet mark.

"Recently a plane flew over at a height I estimated would be no higher than the Devines Hill lookout just behind my house - about 50 metres max," he said.

"Then there was a silver bi-plane that flew so low over our houses that several neighbours came running out into the street to look because the noise was so loud.

"But I couldn't get the registration numbers because they go over too fast for me to get my camera or binoculars."

Kevin doesn't have it in for light aircraft, and in fact has many stories to tell of hair-raising adventures in small planes in his younger days, and he has no quibbles with planes flying overhead going somewhere.

But he would like the constant "buzzing" to stop, and for pilots to respect the 1000 feet rule.

He has asked Byron Shire Council to organise a Fly Neighbourly Agreement, a voluntary code that asks pilots to be mindful of residents, but so far three emails to the relevant council department have failed to elicit any response.

While Kevin Bunn awaits a reply and some action, the continuing fine weather ensures the steady drone of the circling planes.