Establishment
and Management of a Voluntary Aircraft Noise Reduction (Hush-Kit)
Program at the Santa Clara County Airports
Forms:
Initial Application (PDF)
Annual Renewal (PDF)
Insurance Indemnification (PDF)
Background:
The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors approved the annual
funding of an Aircraft Noise Reduction Program (Hushkit) at Reid-Hillview
Airport on May 4, 2004. The test of an aircraft hush-kit system
(manufactured by Gomolzig) at Reid-Hillview Airport in October 2002
showed that there is at least one technology available that could
possibly be utilized to reduce the noise signature of private aircraft
that use the Santa Clara County Airport system. The test showed
that there was a measurable difference between the engine noise
produced from identical aircraft where one was retrofitted with
the manufacturer's exhaust hush kit.
Program Parameters:
The Airport Enterprise fund is authorized to spend $25,000 per year
for matching funds to offset the cost of retrofitting qualified
aircraft with exhaust hush kits to reduce the engine noise from
aircraft operating at and around Reid-Hillview Airport. Eligible
aircraft owners will be allowed to apply for County Airports matching
funds (according to the matrix below) for installed hush-kit modifications
to their aircraft. This annual funding would allow for a minimum
of ten (10) aircraft to be included in the program each year based
on the priority system established in the matrix below. Only those
Hush-Kits that have been approved for installation by the FAA (STC'd)
are qualified for the program. Check with your aircraft manufacturer
and the various hush-kit manufacturers for specifications and installation
requirements. On an annual basis starting in June 2004, County Airports
staff will notify all County tenants and FBOs that applications
will be considered for the following fiscal year's program funding.
Applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis and on first
come first served basis for the initial year's funding. Depending
on the success of the program a deadline may need to be established
in the future.
Application Process:
Aircraft owners who have already installed an approved aircraft
exhaust hush-kit will need to complete the attached application
form and submit copies of aircraft registration, liability insurance
and invoices reflecting their cost for the proposed/installed kit
including parts and labor. Send all applications to: Director of
County Airports, 2500 Cunningham Avenue, San Jose, CA 95148.
Priority:
Because the purpose of the program is to help reduce aircraft noise
over the adjacent neighborhoods, it is intuitive that the best use
of the program's funds is to offset the cost of hush-kit installation
in aircraft that are predominantly used in the RHV traffic patterns.
In the event that more than ten aircraft owners apply for matching
funds in a given year, aircraft that are utilized for pilot training
or spend most of their flight hours in and around Reid-Hillview
Airport will have priority for payment by the County. When necessary,
aircraft log books and tower operation logs will be utilized to
determine which aircraft have spent the most time in the RHV traffic
pattern.
Indemnification:
Applicants for matching County Airports funding for hush-kits will
also need to submit a signed copy of the attached indemnification
form, absolving the County of all liability for damage or malfunction
of the installed hush-kit.
Basing Agreement:
The owner of an aircraft that qualifies for the Hush-Kit Program
will certify (both initially and on an annual basis) that the aircraft
was based at Reid-Hillview Airport for the previous year in order
to receive payment or credit for reimbursement of installation costs.
Aircraft owners may sell aircraft that have qualified for the program,
however if the aircraft is sold during the reimbursement period,
the remaining payments will continue to the new owner(s) provided
the aircraft remains based at RHV.
Payment:
The owner (current and future) of an aircraft that has been accepted
into the program, and meets all parameters of the program, will
be responsible for requesting annual payment or continued credit
from the County Airports office using the attached form on the anniversary
of the aircraft's acceptance into the program. Owners who fail to
request their annual payments or credit in accordance with the schedule
in the table below will be given a 30 day grace period to apply
or risk losing that year's payment.
Cancellation Policy:
If the owner of an aircraft that has been accepted into the hush-kit
program moves the aircraft off the airport, removes the hush-kit
from the aircraft or sells the aircraft to another owner that will
not base the aircraft at Reid-Hillview Airport, the aircraft is
no longer eligible for recurring payments/credit from the County
Airports. Owners should notify the Director of County Airports upon
moving the aircraft off of the airport or upon the sale of an aircraft
that is in the program.
| Parameter |
Recommendation |
| Eligible applicants |
- Owner(s) of aircraft based at RHV (either at a County-owned
or FBO storage space)
|
| Priority of eligible applicants |
- Aircraft spending the most amount of documented time in
the RHV traffic pattern will have the highest priority for
funding.
|
| County contribution |
- 50% of total cost (equipment + labor) up to a maximum
of $2500 per aircraft
- Documentation required
|
| Reimbursement period/mechanism |
- 60 month reimbursement period
- For County tenants, reimburse 1/60 of County contribution
each month (in the form of a rent credit) for 60 months
or until aircraft ceases to be based at RHV, whichever occurs
first
- For FBO tenants, reimburse 20% of County contribution
each year (by check) for 5 years or until aircraft ceases
to be based at RHV, whichever occurs first. First payment
to be made one year after installation of hush kit.
- If aircraft is sold during the reimbursement period, the
remaining payments will continue to the new owner(s) provided
the aircraft remains based at RHV.
|
| Implementation Procedure |
- Staff to advertise availability of pilot program, develop
appropriate agreement forms, and establish initial call
for applications.
- If applications for funding are received for 10 aircraft
or less, all 10 will be funded under the initial program
allocation of $25,000.
- If applications for funding are received for 11 or more
aircraft, staff will develop a recommended priority list
for review by the Airports Commissiom.
|
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of this table (pdf)
Liability
Indemnification for the Santa Clara County Airports Voluntary
Hush-Kit Program
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(pdf)
I agree that I will indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the County
of Santa Clara (County), Santa Clara County Airports, and their
officers, agents and employees from any claim, lawsuit, liability,
loss, injury or damage arising out of, or in connection with, the
installation and use of a Hush-Kit for which the County provides
matching funds under this Program. I acknowledge and agree that
the County's contribution of matching funds toward a Hush-Kit purchase
is in no manner whatsoever an endorsement that any Hush-Kit is appropriate
for any particular aircraft, and that it is my responsibility to
determine the appropriate Hush-Kit installation for my aircraft.
I also acknowledge and agree that if there is any accident or damage
to the aircraft, property, or persons, including persons riding
in the aircraft, that is alleged to be related to the Hush-Kit,
that the County and its employees will have no responsibility or
liability whatsoever for any claim, lawsuit or damages arising out
of such accident and that I will defend and indemnify the County
for any such claim, lawsuit or damages. I acknowledge and agree
that it is the intent of this liability indemnification agreement
to provide the broadest possible coverage and indemnification for
the County. I agree that I or my insurance company shall defend,
indemnify and reimburse the County for all costs, attorneys' fees,
expenses and liabilities incurred with respect to any litigation
which arises out of the use or installation of a Hush-Kit in which
I am obligated to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the County
under this Liability Indemnification Agreement.
Aircraft owner signature and date
If the aircraft is owned by a partnership, all
owners must sign,
If the aircraft is owned by a corporation, a corporate officer must
sign
Last
updated on
7/29/04
