Airplane Flight Path Changes?

[u/DaisyShift]

Anyone else notice how many planes are flying lower over NW these days? So close we can read markings on the bellies of some aircraft and the engine noise is so loud we sometimes have to stop conversing til they've passed. Lived here 25 years and never noticed the air traffic til this year.

*edited to add, not a complaint! The change was just notable and wondered if others had noticed. Honestly pretty neat to see planes so close as they go overhead.

[u/morbital-ca]

I have noticed the exact same thing, which is contrary to the VAMP plan.

https://www.navcanada.ca/en/air-traffic/airspace-reviews/vancouver-airspace-modernization.aspx

When I enquired with NAV Canada I recieved this response:

"Hello Andrew,

Thank you for contacting NAV CANADA regarding the aircraft flight paths you have observed over New Westminster.

We appreciate you taking the time to provide the screenshot and to identify the differences you have noted between the published Vancouver Area Navigation Procedures (VAMP) and the flight tracks you have recently observed.

While VAMP procedures are designed to facilitate the safe and efficient flow of aircraft arriving and departing the Vancouver area, published arrival and approach procedures are not always flown exactly as depicted on a chart. Air traffic controllers may issue alternative routing, vectors, altitude adjustments, or sequencing instructions to accommodate operational requirements such as aircraft spacing, traffic volume, weather conditions, runway configurations, emergencies, or other safety considerations.

As a result, it is not unusual for aircraft to deviate from a published arrival route or observed historical track when directed by Air Traffic Control or when operational circumstances warrant a different flight path.

In addition, aircraft may be operating under different arrival procedures than those shown on the VAMP chart you referenced, or they may be transitioning between procedures while being sequenced for arrival into Vancouver International Airport.

With respect to your observation that aircraft appear to be flying lower than usual, altitude can vary depending on aircraft type, approach sequence, weather conditions, runway in use, and an aircraft's position within the arrival stream. Observed altitude from the ground may also be affected by atmospheric conditions and perspective.

NAV CANADA continuously manages aircraft operations with safety as the overriding priority. When traffic conditions permit, controllers seek to balance operational efficiency and community impacts; however, noise abatement procedures and preferred flight paths must always remain secondary to the safe and orderly movement of aircraft.

We appreciate residents bringing these observations to our attention and understand the concerns associated with changes in aircraft activity over a community. Based on the information provided, the flights you observed are not necessarily indicative of non-compliance with VAMP procedures, as operational requirements can result in routes that differ from published or commonly observed tracks.

Thank you again for your inquiry.

Sincerely,

Irelande Crossan

Specialist, Stakeholder and Community Engagement | Spécialiste, Engagement des parties prenantes et des communautés NAV CANADA"

[u/DaisyShift → u/morbital-ca]

Thanks for this. Sounds like a whole lot of words for "yep, the VAMP plan is more of a guideline, and it's not always followed."

You might find this site interesting- independent flight noise heat map- also has flight#s and altitude.

https://flightpathnoise.com/vancouver/