I READ Dennis Martin's letter with great interest because he raises the spectre of noise nuisance from the Formula 1 cars, which use Elvington airfield for test purposes, "paling into insignificance if the current development proposals for the airfield are approved" (May 14).

He says light aircraft using the airfield for training purposes would have noise implications for local villages and the university campus.

Mr Martin's fears are groundless.

I live at Stamford Bridge and hear, and see, the training aircraft from Full Sutton Flying Club carry out their daily flights, and do not find the noise from them annoying or intrusive in any way.

Light aircraft tend to have quite low-powered engines. Because of this, they tend not to generate very much exhaust noise which is normally the noisiest part of an aero-engine. Most noise is created on take-off but, once the aircraft is airborne, the throttle-setting will be reduced, ergo exhaust noise too reduces.

Mr. Martin quotes a training day "from 09.00hrs to 18.00hrs seven days a week".

Full Sutton Flying Club appear to work on a 10am start with the day's flying terminating according to the available light, which means a later finish in summer.

Normally the last aircraft are landing not much later than 9pm. Presumably any proposed flying school would work to a similar pattern.

The management of Elvington airfield should be given permission to develop the site for aviation use as it is bound to be of benefit to York in the long run.

P A Roe,

Roman Avenue South,

Stamford Bridge,

York.

Updated: 10:56 Friday, May 20, 2005