Navy says more night flights expected from Whidbey base

COUPEVILLE -- While no practice landings are scheduled this week at the Navy's outlying landing field near Coupeville, residents in the area should get ready for night flights that begin in the spring, Whidbey Island Naval Air Station officials said.

With daylight saving time come longer flight training days for Navy pilots, with hours stretching into the night, Navy officials said. This continues through summer and early fall.

Flight operations are subject to changes because of weather or training requirements. Updates or changes in field operations at the outlying landing field can be found on NAS Whidbey Island's Facebook page, www.facebook.com/NASWhidbeyIsland.

The Navy's air field near Coupeville is "a critical national security asset that provides essential training for Navy pilots based at NAS Whidbey Island to conduct safe and effective aircraft carrier flight operations around the world," Navy officials said.

Residents in the area have expressed concerns about the jet noise there.