Map by Marilyn & Philip Lange,  Albemarle Community Network - 2004.

Flight paths to and from Oceana and MCAS Cherry Point are shown as straight lines. However according to the Navy, weather conditions and pilot whim can make the possible paths miles wide.

All communities under the gray area will experience significant increase in noise levels. Depending on the altitude, those living within five miles of the tracks will suffer to a lesser degree. If you are ten miles away, you'll barely hear them during the day.

To give you some idea of what these dB numbers mean,

DNL = Day/ Night Average Sound Levels - What they tell you you hear.

SEL = Single Event Level - What you hear.

35 dB DNL= Average Night Time in the Country

45 dB DNL = Normal Day Time Average Rural Noise Levels

60 dB SEL = Alarm Clock Bell,

70 dB SEL = Vacuum Cleaner Ten Feet Away

80 dB SEL = Food Processor

90 dB SEL = Circular Power Saw

100 - 110 dB SEL = Maximum Stereo Sound System Output

Planes will fly day and night. On moonlit nights they will be especially active.