Farewell to Vern Miller

Reid-Hillview Airport (RHV) mourns the loss of Vern Miller, long-time FBO owner and community friend. Vern was a skilled plane mechanic, pilot, and owner of Vern Miller Aviation. He was also part-owner of Paradise Lodge in southwest Oregon, where Vern and his wife Elizabeth frequented. His June 17th trip was nothing out of the ordinary, until the wing of Vern’s Cessna 180 clipped a tree. The ensuing accident took the lives of the San Jose couple and two female passengers. Vern was a fixture at RHV, standing out as a man who enjoyed giving back to the community that gave him so much joy. He was notorious for donating both his knowledge and the use of his hangars for parties, meetings, and other events. “Vern and Beth were part of the fabric that makes up RHV, and their many wonderful good works and friendships will live on for many, many years.” noted Airport Director, Carl Honaker.

RHV’s Proactive Role in Noise

Noise regulation is an underlying issue with any airport, especially in regards to late night practices. But thanks to the FAA and the efforts of cooperative pilots, the Santa Clara County Airports are better neighbors to the community. A role model in the Santa Clara County Airports’ noise management efforts is Reid-Hillview (RHV) tenant, Nice Air Aviation. Nice Air Aviation has taken the lead by voluntarily agreeing to a plan entailing a decrease in the number of nighttime landings and takeoffs. Nice Air has set a great example for other tenants, as decreasing evening flights also resulted in a decrease in the number of complaints pertaining to nighttime operations. A little bit can go a long way and the sizeable results already achieved are demonstrative of that.

The Santa Clara County Airports applaud the proactive efforts made to improve the situation. In addition to tenant cooperation, RHV just received FAA approval of a $1.2 million grant request for a Noise and Operations Monitoring System (NOMS). Addition of this system includes installation of six noise monitors in and around RHV. This system will enable airport staff to monitor and record all local area ATC communications, as well as track general aviation aircrafts from the surface to 10,000 feet. This stateof-the-art tracking system allows airport staff to evaluate levels of air traffic noise better than ever before. Full installation of the NOMS is scheduled to be completed by the close of 2007. Between the progress already made, the continued help of community members, and FAA funding, efforts to reduce the noise impacts on the surrounding communities will continue.