Issue:
NOI‐1
AZARNG Site:
Entire JLUS
Project Area
Noise from helicopter operations may cause
impacts.
Helicopter operations, including training activities
and the movement of aircraft from one site to
another, occur in much of the JLUS Project Area.
Low‐level flights generate the greatest potential
concern for noise impacts. Future land
development near helicopter training areas and
flight corridors may increase noise impacts and
complaints. Similarly, increases in flight activity,
either temporary or permanent, may result in a
greater chance of noise impacts to the public.
Compatibility Assessment
The AZARNG operates both the Silverbell Army Heliport (SBAH) and the Picacho Peak
Stagefield in the JLUS Project Area. Both are key facilities located in southern Pinal
County that support the military aviation training mission. The primary operation at both
locations are rotary wing aircraft student pilot training. In addition, the AZARNG operates
the Rittenhouse Training Site in northern Pinal County for rotary wing aircraft training
activities. Military helicopter operations occur at and around all three locations as well as
flight operations that transit between the facilities. Occasional operations occur at
Florence Military Reservation as well.
AZARNG soldier participates
in annual training at FMR
with UH‐60 Helicopter
operations
Source: Arizona DEMA, 2015
As discussed in detail in Chapter 3 of this Background Report, SBAH is one of the premier
Army helicopter training facilities with over 300 pilots trained annually. Silverbell Army
Heliport has capacity for 58 helicopters operating from the site, primarily UH‐60
Blackhawk, UH‐72A Lakota and AH‐64 Apache helicopters supporting both Western Army
Aviation Training Site (WAATS) and Singapore’s Peace Vanguard unit. Much of the
helicopter training, including low level operations, conducted in the 3,600 square mile
TFTA.
Picacho Peak is a satellite facility for SBAH operations and is used primarily for helicopter
touch and go as well emergency landing training. Training flights are typically conducted
in closed patterns, within a one to two‐mile radius of the facility with altitudes ranging
from the surface to 2,400 feet above ground level (AGL).
The Rittenhouse Training Site functions a satellite facility for AZARNG operations
including helicopters operating from the Papago Military Reservation in Phoenix.
Training at Rittenhouse Training Site includes helicopter touch and go, emergency
landing simulations, sling load transportation, and Bambi Bucket operations. The flight
patterns for the sling load and Bambi Bucket operations form a 33,100‐foot long loop
5-112
Compatibility Assessment