I would like to respond to the article "Noise Abatement News" in the July 21 issue of the Dispatch. Trustee Bambrick did not address a navigational aid that is an extremely critical component of the suite of available tools used by pilots, airports and air traffic controllers making approaches to JFK through our area.

The acronym for this aid is VOR/DME, which stands for VHF OmniDirectional Range/Distance Measuring Equipment. This is the primary navigational aid used in North America. Nearly all aircraft operating under Instrument Flight Rules, or what Trustee Bambrick calls "instruments only" approaches, have VOR/DME equipment on board. This facility can be used in clear as well as inclement weather and can be used to route aircraft over the Garden City/Stewart Manor approach - easing the heavy dependency on "instruments only" approaches through New Hyde Park and Floral Park.

My wife arrived into JFK from Chicago in December with limited visibility conditions, moderate winds, rain and sleet. As I left for the airport I could see the arrivals using the VOR/DME approach east of our village. The solution to our problems is to meet with our neighboring communities and agree on a proposal to be presented to the FAA for the equitable distribution of air traffic using all available navigational aids.

Bob O'Gorman