A battle to keep a landfill from being developed in Grove City continues.
 
Testimony has been taking place in Pittsburgh before the Department of Environmental Protection with pilots explaining why they believe the project should be grounded.
 
In Grove City Tri-County Waste and Recycling Removal Services wants a landfill permit. 
 
That landfill is 1.4 miles from the runway at Grove City Airport, counting flight time that's about 45 seconds to landing.  
 
The problem is that birds and planes don't mix. Birds can cause engine failure or other dangerous or deadly situations for pilots, passengers, and people because a landfill with birds could directly affect take-off and landings.
 
"It's very dangerous to have a bird come through the windshield or damage the aircraft," Mission Aeronautics Flight School Owner, Troy Shearer said.
 
"The airplane is still moving 120 miles an hour or more in that area, it's such a critical safety zone," Captain Stephen Shields said. Shields is the Director of Aviation for a private company.
 
Captain Shields testified in Pittsburgh last week about the dangers the landfill location could cause.
 
"That's the most critical time for any pilot. There's so much that happens right then and there and if anything were to happen to the power of the engines obviously that wouldn't be safe.
 
Shearer added if something happens at that altitude and speed there at landings and take-offs there is little time to recover. Especially for student pilots.
 
"Your about to pass pretty much right over the top of that landfill with the birds and everything. Your already descending, pattern and altitude is only 1,000 feet above the ground," Pilot Instructor Shearer added.
 
Captain Shearer emphasized, "I think definitely people's lives will be put in danger by this landfill. So what happens if someone has a crash, who will be liable to the landfill owners, or is it the city, or the airport? Safety is a concern."
 
They and others with a sky view in the pilot's seat say there is plenty of land to put the landfill where there is less development.
 
Shearer tells 21 News there's so much open space just a few miles away from here where it becomes very desolate. Why do we need to have the landfill right here? It doesn't make sense. We are close to the outlet mall, restaurants, hotels, homes, a zoo, and some planned breweries. It's close to the Interstate. There is  just so much open land miles from here.