Make Some Noise ... Not!

With the RHV FAR Part 150 Study completed and accepted by the FAA, we are now focused on implementing our new Noise Abatement Program at all three airports. We have hired Ken Betts as our new Noise Abatement Program Coordinator. He will be responsible for helping us establish many of our new noise abatement policies and getting various mitigation projects going, so as to make RHV a better neighbor.

Initially, we hope to get FAA funding to purchase an ANOMS (Aircraft Noise Monitoring System), formerly known as an Aircraft Noise and Flight Track Monitoring System in the study. This system should allow us to accurately monitor noise events at RHV and ultimately help us find ways to make the flight patterns around the airport more compatible with the neighboring community.

We will also be adding (at our own expense) some additional noise monitors at the other two County airports to help us keep track of flights and provide more accurate noise compliant follow-up data.

The FAA also approved the recommendation to insulate a number of homes north of RHV under the departure flight path. When we get grant funding to proceed, we hope to work with Mineta, San Jose International Airport's home insulation program, to get this accomplished as soon as possible. We have been working with a firm based in Germany and several of the Flight Schools at RHV to find the right aircraft to retrofit with an engine exhaust hush-kit. The Board of Supervisors authorized us to conduct a test program to see if these kits will help reduce aircraft noise from aircraft that spend most of their time in the pattern at RHV. If you are interested in participating in the program, please contact one of us for more information.

We appreciate your help in using our voluntary noise abatement flight procedures to reduce the noise we impose on our neighbors. Use of the Quiet-One departure, avoiding touch and go's after 9:00 p.m. (and using taxi-backs when able) and using lower prop RPM settings when possible go a long way in helping us create a better working relationship with those that live around the airport. One of the long awaited mitigation measures approved by the FAA and the BOS is the creation of a RHV Joint Community Relations Committee. This community outreach opportunity is quickly becoming a reality, and soon we hope to have appointed enough committee members to announce our first meeting.

JCRC
Joint Community Relations Committee (PAO has had one for over 15 years, and RHV will have one soon!)

RHVAA
Reid-Hillview Airport Association (pilot support group)

SCAPA
South County Airport Pilot Association (pilot support group)

PAAA
Palo Alto Airport Association (pilot support group)

View or download the Print Version of our Winter 2005 newsletter.