Brackers serious about chopper base fight
(CNS): Several nearby landowners and the National Trust have now filed appeals against the approval by the Cayman Brac and Little Cayman Development Control Board of a mysterious aviation company’s plans for a helicopter pad, hanger and administration building close to the Charles Kirkconnell International Airport on the Brac. Following a meeting Saturday, where dozens of concerned Brac residents discussed the impact of the project, the fight against it has taken off.
In addition to the formal appeals against the decision, Michael Tibbetts, the owner of the Cayman Brac Beach Resort and the leading tourism operator on the island, has now also written to the Department of Planning and the DCB stating that this project could be a fatal blow to the tourism sector on the Brac.
The National Trust for the Cayman Islands and families on Cayman Brac with nearby properties are formally objecting to the project, but a growing number of local residents are also concerned about the Black Hawk military helicopters coming and going from the island on undisclosed missions.
A key issue is the very limited information that Brac residents have been privy to since the project was proposed and then quietly approved.
Dianne Anglim, who lives in the United States but owns land on the Brac, said in her letter of objection that she was dismayed by what is happening and how it seems to have happened because “it does not seem that the details of this project have been fully disclosed to the communities that it will affect”. Given that Cayman Brac is a very small island, it would undoubtedly impact many people, she wrote in her appeal letter, adding that it was hard to understand why such a project like this would be approved.
“It goes against how the Island is marketed to the world as ‘a nature lover’s paradise’. The environmental destruction of the breeding ground for birds and the endangered Rock Iguana, forest for rare flora and fauna, and historic sites does not make sense for the greater economy of the island,” she wrote.
In her appeal on behalf of the Leitch Homestead, Peggy Leitch said, “The resolution to grant planning permission with very few meaningful conditions is an unsatisfactory result to this aesthetic, ecological and environmental assault on the tranquility of Cayman Brac.” Detailing the terrible environmental impact the project would have, she also noted the problem of noise pollution. “One does not need to do much research to find studies about the negative impact of noise from Black Hawk helicopters,” she wrote.
The National Trust said that the proposal is of great concern, not just to the Trust and its members but to the greater community because of its environmental and cultural impact. “We have submitted an appeal against the project and are in ongoing discussions with the Government on this issue,” Annick Jackman, the NT director, stated.
The non-profit organisation said its main grounds for appeal was that the proposal was unreasonable. “The land in question is extremely important to Cayman Brac because it houses the only remaining remnant of tropical dry forest in the Brac’s far West End,” Jackman wrote.
She went on to list a catalogue of environmental and cultural threats the project poses, including to the critically endangered Sister Islands rock iguana and local bird populations. Of “significant concern” is the potential of the Black Hawk helicopters to damage the red-footed booby colony on Little Cayman, which is protected under the National Trust Law, as well as the National Conservation Law and the international RAMSAR Convention, to which the Cayman Islands Government is a signatory, Jackman noted.
With few people on the island supporting the project and no indications that there will be any benefit to the local economy or residents, Brackers are baffled over how this project has been supported not only by the elected arm of government, but also by Governor Martyn Roper.
Entirely suspicious of the company behind the project because of what they say are inconsistencies the owners have presented in relation to it, the objectors have committed to a full scale fight against the proposal.
Martin Keeley, a former teacher and well known environmental activist who has organised the campaign No Black Hawks CYB, made it clear what the aims were when he told CNS that the people of the Brac “don’t want this here”.
Visit the campaign’s FB page and see the appeals and objections in the CNS Library.
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Category: development, Local News
Michael Tibbetts, and his whole family, DO NOT CARE about the people or enviroment on the Brac.
They were approached on numerous occasions about using the old Brac Aquatics building for the Marine Unit/Coast Guard as a base on the Brac. It’s near the Government Dock by the channel. Would be a great place to operate from to do Search and Rescue as well as Drug Interdictions.
He, and his family, stated no they would not let it happen there.
They are using the GOVERNMENT dock to illegally conduct COMMERCIAL operations (dive bussiness), which is against law.
Michael Tibbetts says he cares about the Brac but denies rescue and security services to the people of the Brac.
Seems he, and his family, only care about how much money they can make. Guess that’s why he does not hire locals anymore, mostly Philipinos now.
FYI
Public Lands Law 2017
Definition:
“public land” means the following lands, whether or not the public has access to
them –
(a) Crown land, whether owned solely by the Crown or jointly by the
Crown and another party, and facilities on Crown land;
(b) land vested in statutory authorities or government companies, and
facilities on such land;
(c) the seabed and territorial waters of the Islands; and
(d) wharfs, jetties, ramps and docks owned by the Crown.
PART 3 – USE OF PUBLIC LAND
27. (1) No person shall carry on a commercial activity on public land except in
accordance with the terms and conditions of a valid vendor’s permit issued under
this Law.
The permit is required to be clearly visible.
Just for peoples info
The definition of “Scammer” seems to be the same as the definition for some members of our government!
Truth hurts which truth ? That idiots just like you and your local political menace will do just about anything to enrich themselves even though they are so well off that they could not spend what they have now.Yet you and them want to destroy the fragile environment which might sustain life for others after you hopefully will be gone. but because of your own greed and selfishness and very narcissistic ideology can’t see that you are shortening your very own existence because of your own stupidity. Finally the trouble with ignorance as goes on it picks up confidence. You are clearly very over confident from your statements as is your political pariah you worship too!
I believe you have defined yourself very clearly and most everybody can see right through you.
Like you said “the trouble with ignorance as goes on it picks up confidence”.
Definitely what is happening with you.
Well, looks line the morons are coming out of the woodwork now.
Soooooo many idiots with concerns for the environment, history and the like.
Hell, where this “Turtle Crawl” is deep in the thick bush, and in fact contains a lot of garbage.
Up until this entity wanted to start something you never heard about this “Turtle Crawl”.
No all of a sudden people are like ” it’s a national heritage site”, my great grand daddy use to use this ect….
Get over the fact that you did not start the helicopter bussiness yourself.
As for the foreigners, you all better worry about your own countries and stop attempting to dictate what is supposed to occur here. Plain straight shut up.
You are full of it, mister liar.
The truth hurts, indeed.
Let me ask you this: What are you so angry about? You think the Brackers shouldn’t have a say in that which is likely to impact or change their existence? Do you have the same right? I say that you do.
You are using the wrong pronoun: What you mean — and most people in your camp mean — is that ‘”they” never heard about this “Turtle Crawl”‘.
People I know on the wee rock certainly know, and while it isn’t used by the people much, that doesn’t infer that they are willing to piss it away on an endeavour which has little opportunity of benefitting them, and large probability of compromising their chosen lifestyle.
There is nothing to “get over”, except perhaps your pretentious ego. We are all free to live where the culture most suits us, and when sudden change is thrust upon a people with a notable lack of information, it is rightfully distrusted.
Sorry, but obviously you dont live in the Brac and MAYBE only visit once in a blue moon.
If you did then you would know that 90% of CYB approve of this development because it will bring money and jobs for the younger generation who are coming up.
The people in the Brac are no longer content with the status quo. Certain people running and owning everything. Certain people having all the money.
TRUTH? Do you even know the meaning of truth? Who told you all this garbage? If I were a betting man, I would bet it is all made up by you and your buddies. Get real, son. Stick to the truth. This BS is a fairy tale for “SOME” people to rake in a lot of money. The people of Cayman have little to gain from this scam.
Sorry donkey, that will do, that will do.
Present COLD HARD TANGIBLE FACTS not what you thought up during your last drunken stupor or drugged out high.
It’s a simple solution, otherwise stop trying to push your will down normal people’s throats, you might just get bitten.
It’s all bull about Turtle Crawl, it was NEVER use as a Turtle Crawl, I am in My 70’s an never heard about that being used to raise Turtles. On the north side of the road in the that area West End was where Turtles was raised, NOT there on the south side of the road. So you all old expats stop this nonsense of a Turtle crawl being used there, IT NEVER HAPPENED. it was only a mud hole from day one.
The Northside IS where the Turtle crawl is located, make up your mind please.🙄
I grew up down right there and father has told me stories of how his generation and ones before him used it etc. I went there a few times as a kid.. it’s just a hole! If it was a residential development nothing would be said on filling it in to build. I don’t really see the big deal. If we want development for our future generations then things like this have to be done! Just my 2 cents.
Just a thought after reading all the comments. Doesn’t the Brac have a modern first class airport that is under used. So why was it upgraded in the first place? The choice: revert to the airstrip to that of Little or utilize the existing space for something that will create jobs and socialization. Everything changes in our lives. Do we really want return Cayman to return to the 1950’s? Cayman has needed a first class helicopter base for ages. It time that Cayman look ahead and figure how it will fit in 2025.
Don’t be stupid, Cal.
It is my understanding that it was upgraded to become in compliance with international standards, such that the Brac could have direct flights from the U.S.
Their Security Checks on leaving CYB are more stringent than any other airport!!!
So…..?????? And……. It would be a good idea to practice driving on the left!
While we’re at it: who is Dart joy-riding around in his Sikorsky, and why? Are these visiting investors, employees, politicians?
There are so many noisy blade-vortex trips, with high speed fly-overs, dangerous high load bank turns, and low level hovering passes. All these nuisance sound waves literally rattle the air space above businesses, and residential homes.
Like most things in Cayman, given trust and space, it seems all unregulated are determined to bring about their own new regulation. Let’s give them their new flight rules, if they are so determined to have them. Shouldn’t the CIAA require a minimum autorotation safety ceiling, particularly on residential fly-overs? Given how they fly around, they might need the extra space when something inevitably breaks.
The Danger Zone for Noise Hazards Around the Black Hawk Helicopter
Heath G Jones, Nathaniel T Greene, Michael R Chen, Cierrah M Azcona, Brandon J Archer, Efrem R Reeves
PMID: 29789088 DOI: 10.3357/AMHP.5054.2018
Abstract
Background: During ground operations, rotary-wing aircraft engines and subsystems produce noise hazards that place airfield personnel at risk for hearing damage. The noise exposure levels outside the aircraft during various operating conditions, and the distances from aircraft at which they drop to safe levels, are not readily available. The current study measured noise levels at various positions around the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter for three operating conditions typically used when the aircraft is on the ground.
Methods: Microphones were positioned systematically around the helicopter and A-weighted sound pressure levels (SPLs) were computed from the recordings. In addition, the 85-dBA SPL contour around the aircraft was mapped. The resulting A-weighted SPLs and contour mapping were used to determine the noise hazard area around the helicopter.
Results: Measurements reported here show noise levels of 105 dB or greater in all operating conditions. The fueling location at the left rear of the aircraft near the auxiliary power unit (APU) is the area of greatest risk for noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Additionally, sound field contours indicate noise hazard areas (>85 dBA SPL) can extend beyond 100 ft from the helicopter.
Conclusions: This report details the areas of greatest risk for auditory injury around the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. Our findings suggest the area of hazardous noise levels around the aircraft can extend to neighboring aircraft, particularly on the side of the aircraft where the APU is located. Hearing protection should be worn whenever the aircraft is operating, even if working at a distance.Jones HG, Greene NT, Chen MR, Azcona CM, Archer BJ, Reeves ER. The danger zone for noise hazards around the Black Hawk helicopter. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2018; 89(6):547-551.
Similar articles
A comprehensive noise survey of the S-70A-9 Black Hawk helicopter.
King RB, Saliba AJ, Brock JR.
Aviat Space Environ Med. 1999 Feb;70(2):107-16.
PMID: 10206928
The influence of jet engine noise on hearing of technical staff.
I think the first sentance say it all.
“During ground operations, rotary-wing aircraft engines and subsystems produce noise hazards that place airfield personnel at risk for hearing damage”.
If you are on the airfield and near running aircraft. YOU wear hearing protection!!! Do you ever see ground personnel not wearing hearing protection at any airport.
Pretty much true of all helicopters that big.
Just spent some time to find out more about DAGGARO. Went to their web-page http://www.daggaro.com. There is very little information – a lot of smokescreens and then their Swiss address and their “operational base” in the Cayman Islands: 27 Hospital Road. This is the Cayman Corporate Center building. As far as I know there are several law firms in that building… but no helicopter-linked operation will happen from there… That might be a registered office… but not much more. When you look at their Swiss address on Google maps (Landis + Gyr-Strasse 1) then you notice that all streets around that building are not available on Google’s street view… nearly everything else in Zug/Switzerland is visible on street view… but this building is blocked out. When you look at the comments that have been posted here on this web-page under the articles, you can see that a professional public relation company is writing these comments. We in Cayman should know that if we have an airbase
that is used for military missions that then there will be missiles pointed at us. Be it in Cuba, be it in Venezuela… we will be on the map. These can be conventional missiles, these can be nuclear missiles that are pointed at us. First I objected to this project because it will destroy a beautiful piece of nature… but now I think there could be some real danger for us in Cayman if we allow this to happen. We didn’t build the cruise ship terminal in Grand Cayman – and this was the right decision. I’m convinced by not allowing this stealth company to operate from Cayman Brac we will make again the right decision. We don’t need them – there is absolutely no benefit for the residents. Focus on programs like coral preservation – that has value. Don’t get a cloak & dagger operation to operate from our islands.
Tom Clancy much?
I hate these kind of obsequious comments. They provide no value, yet cast aspersions on the research of the OP.
If you disagree, bloody well do your own research and say why you disagree.
This is the behaviour of a child in the playground. Bloody well grow up and learn to post with meaningful information or don’t post at all.
Stop smoking that stuff you mentioned, Totem! It will fry your brain cells… if you have any left.
“Caymans”. That pretty much identifies your perspective.
We’re currently not worried; the point at which China encroaches directly upon a British Dependency Territory will likely be the same point at which they encroach upon American interests.
To state the obvious Can we please put the Police Euro Helicopters the UK just sold us on Ecaytrade Please! Since we have Daggaro Strategic warfare Services we have no need for that additional expense on the people of the Cayman Islands? I hope this puts this scenario or situation in some prospective as to just how Ludacris Moses and his military contractor friends proposal and little drone base is. Our dear minister will never see it because his SEA of Greed lifestyle has no horizon!
Solid info, Mr. Cartel member! Thanks!
When you know, you know, right? 😉
Progress is the enemy of the third world. Keep out.
O yeah of little knowledge,
This first world today used to be the third world of yesterday.
Don’t expect you to think far enough to know how the development cycle goes.
This is obviously a nefarious rendition scheme.
Cayman is nose up to the ring with the corrupt US Alphabet Soup and they want a place to operate with impunity.
Someone promised it to them and now they are here.
They need to GTF back home and leave us alone and take our politician(s) with them.
Sorry, but that is how it is.
Can we get a public comment from Moses Kirkconnell?
In answer to your last question, given Moses couldn’t provide coherent answers to the cruise dock debacle, and the no doubt vested interests of this black ops project, do you honestly expect him to even attempt to comment on this matter? lol
Ok Moses and the word coherent in the same sentence seems a wee bit awkward , but then again , we do live in strange and interesting times especially where caves , spandex and COVID is involved . BTW Zug Switzerland is grand central for surveillance IT and loads of not so all above board , DarkNet hosting takes place there each time one of their hosts does as much a visit a webpage , the servers does an IPv6 trace route of the highest priority. Very very shady for such a “small outfit” . I would suspect deep ties to the alphabet soup as far as this company in concerned from the get go and not the innocuous one !
Alex Jones is calling. He doesn’t really remember why, but he’s pretty sure it’s important.
And they will vote them right back in. Pablo and Griselda.
Can someone provide the following:
1. The operation plan of the applicant that outlines the type of aircraft to be used.
2. What is the optational parameters of an airport with international designation?
3. The the flora and fauna of the proposed location.
4. The historical documentation on the krawl and its uses.
5. A sign in list of the attendees at meeting assuming there was a sign in sheet.
5. Any possible mitigation measures that are under consideration by the those in opposition.
That would help me make a more informed decision on the matter.
Yawn!
Make informed decisions not emotive ones
Don’t be ridiculous! That is top secret info! Just don’t worry about it! Our leaders are taking care of it……………..
On second thought, maybe we SHOULD worry about it!
Brac Hawk Down!
Not my creation, credit to JKW.
And through all this not one word from our political leaders. Not a peep from the two heroes representing the Brac. The silence is deafening.
11:35 am, the Brac us full of idiots voters, they don’t have the common sense to take what are giving to them. Eat them out and vote then out. That’s the Cayman islands voters
You outline the value of editing one’s post prior to hitting “post comment”.
It’s my understand of the Sister Island’s peril that they — like us in several districts — lack competition with the status quo. If no viable candidate dares to run, can the electors be blamed?
For the brac people this military company is a big mistake to the brac remember, cuba and Venezuela is close and the usa use a private military companies to do the nasty job fiting and said nooo ,the cayman politicians is so corrupt, they don’t care with happened in the brac ,they are a liesssssss said noooooooo
English as second or third language?
Hmnnnn
Who the frig cares
We understand
Ammmmm you do know that the usa has a military base in cuba right? Along with a mcdonalds and kfc. All on cuban soil in guantanamo bay….
We throwin our lot in with the Chinese as we love their dirty money and all the corruption that goes with China.
GO Mandarin.
Beau, Sounds like we have a gen-you-wine troll telling falsehoods right here on our favorite news service. Ain’t that a gasser? As he is obviously not of legal age, I am moving on. Thank you for your comments.
Got to love it when non Brac natives from grand or overseas arrive to tell the locals what to do with their island. If those in Cayman Brac keep turning away every opportunity that comes their way sooner or later the island will completely die.
Like Michael Tibbetts who doesn’t hire Caymanians, and yet has the nerve to say he is concerned about Brac tourism. Come on man, be honest all you care about is how much money you can make out of the Brac using permit holders. Only those of us who live here know how badly we need jobs for our kids.
It is truly a shame that most of the Brac children have little chance of getting a good education at school…… and good parenting is also rare. Why don’t our leaders do something to improve this? WE NEED NEW LEADERS!
Dear 9:34 pm; Please don’t spread rumors and lies! When we need your advice, we will ask for it!
Looks like a great opportunity for the Brac. Well funded by Private Equity and a management team will previous experience and expertise in the area. Welcome Daggaro!
Oh oh… are you the same person that wrote all the comments in favor of the Cruise Ship Terminal last year? Are the government bots back to work?
The usual group who opposes progress for Cayman Brac. Government needs to cut all spending in Cayman Brac.
Mr.7:30, Don’t be such a dip!]
He knows nothing else
Leave him be
We are Brackers we want all kinds of duty-free allowances and free driveways from Juju! We also want lots of investment! But we only want you to invest by giving cash directly to us so we can go fishing and do what we always do, nothing! Lol. These people kill me.
You don’t know them.
I was wondering if I was the person that can see this.
No. There are two of you.
Normal thing with Cayman Brac. Happy to live off of subsidies from Grand but never want to make any sacrifices to develop their on economy.
You be continue to be a backwater living off government handouts as they aren’t interested in working?
Sorry, I now understand your point entirely
Not everyone on the Brac depends on Government handouts. Some of us work very hard not to.
We on Brac work just as hard as any other Caymanian. We do not live off the government. Why don’t you check the long lines at NAU in Grand Cayman before running your unknowledgable mouth.
I wish all the foreigners would mind their own
We pay for you
10:18 am. If you think you pay for us please leave asap. Go and leave us alone. Your kind we don’t need or want here. To the others expats here that don’t think that way, Welcome here, stay forever and enjoy the Brac with us, thank you.
It seems that the Brac needs inward investment, job opportunities and some life breathed back into it but doesn’t want the inevitable changes that comes with that. I don’t know if they are expecting 50 flights a day 24/7, or a couple of times a week, might be worth getting more detail before objecting?
You have no idea what you are talking about. You certainly don’t live there. Be more prudent with your words and let the Brackers tend to their own business.
With the residents of Grand Cayman supporting every one of them they will be just fine.
This is a great thing for The BRAC and the Cayman Islands. Be happy and stop complaint.
The is no real danger
And you are the only one who knows it.
You are a troll.
Hey Nog…….. How do you know whether there will be no real danger? The information I’ve seen seems to be extremely vague! No meaningful information has been released. I haven’t even seen any information from the people who are supposed to govern for us! “Shady operations” don’t get their name for no reason!
Juju and Moses sold you all out.
Again??
Whoa, there. I grew up and live on the Brac. The ones who are always shouting out about projects like this are, from what I see, ex-pats. Nothing wrong about being environmentally friendly, but that should not translate into no progress or non-tourist growth for locals. ANd I know I’ll be cursed for this, but what the hell do iguanas do for us, anyway. If their that important, move them to the bluff and leave them be. Or build Iguanaland up there and charge admission. That should pay for more of your parties that are not-really-open to the locals.
Whoa indeed! Let me think about that a while…
For Anonymous 1:52 pm : Your comment is quite misleading! I know you are not a Bracker. Are you being paid for you comments?
I wondered the same. Goodonya.
4:16 And how many fully qualified UH-60 pilots and engineers are there on the Barc who would benefit from this? It’s going to be a 100% ex-pat with no locals involved simply because they can’t pass the vetting required to take part in what is still a restricted operation of current US military hardware.
same as always, all ex pats no jobs for the local, yada yada yada
go fish instead
There is always opportunity for those willing to look, sure you might not have any pilots, but they all need to eat, sleep, live, get power, water, gas, food, construction, entertainment, transport etc.
8:03 I admire your optimism but that’s not the way things work here is it? The people who will really benefit from this are going to be the same select few with the right connections that always do. Palms will be greased, hands will be shaken and very little of the money involved will stay on the Brac.
Who really owns Daggaro? Who are their clients? What and where are those contracts? What are the durations and scope of those contracts? Why did they feel it necessary to lie at the outset about their aspiration to run an operations base and landing zone in the Brac? Why should they be approved for a special air field outside of CBC and Immigration oversight? …and why do they feel they need to position all this military hardware in the Brac at all? Of course, there will be curt answers, and seemingly plausible explanations to these “second tier” questions, but I suspect none of them will be all that digestible.
Do you actually have any proof that they will not operate within cayman island laws e.g CBC and immigration. I think this would be a very intresting fact.
Also why do you believe any business would go public with its clients? No law or accounting firm or any other business has such a requirement in Cayman
Remember it will sit under Tech City another exempt boondoggle like Enterprise City so the CBC and immigration rules do not apply.
helicopters are as much military hardware as are the hummers on our roads – it’s the use they are put to. There are 3 helicopters permanently on Grand Cayman, is that ‘military hardware’?
And why does a private busy have to be fully vetted by locals before its allowed to do business
Is what they are doing lawful, yes, so what’s the issue??
8:37 That’s daft comparison. The re-sale of ex-military Humvees (Hummers are the civilan variant and not comparable) is unrestricted as long as all military equipment has been removed. When I worked in this field it was known as being ‘demilled’. In contrast the sale, licensing and operation of ex-military UH-60s is rigidly controlled – you can’t simply buy and operate one like you would a Jet Ranger.
Amazing the JETRANGER is the DEMILLED version of the OH58 military helicopter!!! Which was design and built for the US Army.
I believe they have already stated the UH60 is “DEMILLED” or in basic terms, ALL military equipment has been removed. Again as you pointed out, required by licensing and operation.
Stop trying to create fear and acting as an expert because “you work in the field”…
7-10 millions spent in the Brac (reported by the compass) is going to create jobs!
Clueless 10:51. The OH58 Kiowa and the TH57 Creek were developed from the Jet Ranger – the civilan version came first and was then sold to the military. The Jet Ranger went on sale in 1962, the Kiowa didn’t enter service until 1969 – you can do the math on that I assume?
Ex-military OH58s can only be sold within the USA to law enforcements agencies or on restricted certification and internationally as combat helicopters through the US government’s foreign military sales process. I’ve worked in the industry – you clearly have not. My guess from your comments is that your ‘expertise’ in this field comes from reading Facebook.
The big problem with the UH-60 is that it is by design a military helicopter so the only way it can truly be demilled is in a crusher.
Now, please do us all a favor and shut up!
Sorry, couple of typos there – it’s the TH67 Creek and I left an ‘i’ out of civilian.
YHO-4 Enough said. Check your facts of the origins of 206 and where it started and the versions.
But this is a pointless debate
8:37 pm, What makes you think it’s legal? The last I heard, they didn’t have any choppers! Try to find information about their “operations” in Switzerland!
Agree I think the Territory should be welcoming any investment out side of tourism at the moment!
Is it REALLY going to be an investment………. or is it just another money scheme for someone in the twilight zone?
Scammer: One who does everything in his power to steal from another, usually by means of trickery or deceit. Scammers have become increasingly prevalent in modern times. Usually driven by personal greed , they are unhindered by sympathy or morals and are the very face of human corruption.