Noise Abatement Rules & Procedures

Noise Abatement Procedures

Pilot Guide & Noise Abatement Procedures (PDF)

Prohibited Procedures:

Intersection takeoffs, stop-and-go, formation, simulated single engine departures or go-arounds prohibited.
Touch-and-go operations prohibited between 9:30 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Engine maintenance runups prohibited between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., except in emergencies.
Runway weight restriction is 75,000 lbs. maximum certificated takeoff weight. Aircraft Operations between 75,000 lbs. and 100,000 lbs. must secure P.P.R., call Airport Operations at 480-312-8478 for more information.

Preferred Procedures:

Compliance with recommended noise abatement procedures are at the pilot's discretion.SAFETY ALWAYS COMES FIRST.

Voluntary Curfew - 10 p.m. - 6 a.m.
Runway 3 is the designated calm wind runway, and preferred noise abatement runway.
When departing Runway 21 make right turn to 300 degrees as soon as possible, or make a climbing full 270 degree right turn before heading east or southbound.
Aircraft not meeting Part 36 Stage III requirements are requested to use Runway 3 for departure and Runway 21 for arrivals, weather and traffic permitting.
Climb as high as possible before leaving airport boundaries.
Please fly high and tight patterns.
Follow the PAPI (4 degrees).
Descents below 2500 MSL during practice approaches are discouraged.
Left hand traffic pattern on Runway 3, right hand traffic pattern on Runway 21.
On Runway 21, aircraft are requested to make short final approaches avoiding direct overflight of residential areas.
Jets are requested to use N.B.A.A. Standard Noise Abatement Departure procedures or comparable procedure of aircraft manufacturer.
Propeller aircraft are requested to use A.O.P.A. "Noise Awareness Steps."

More Information on FAA approved noise abatement procedures may be found at:

A.O.P.A. Noise Awareness Steps

If practical, avoid noise-sensitive areas. Make every effort to fly at or above 2,000 feet over such areas when overflight cannot be avoided.
Consider using a reduced power setting if flight must be low because of cloud cover or overlying controlled airspace or when approaching the airport of destination. Propellers generate more noise than engines; flying with the lowest practical RPM setting will reduce aircraft noise substantially.
Perform stalls, spins, and other practice maneuvers over uninhabited terrain.
Familiarize yourself and comply with airport noise abatement procedures.
On takeoff, gain altitude as quickly as possible without compromising safety. Begin takeoffs at the start of a runway, not at an intersection.
Use PAPI. This will indicate a safe glide path and allow a smooth, quiet descent to the runway. (4 degrees at Scottsdale Airport)
Retract the landing gear either as soon as a landing straight ahead on the runway can no longer be accomplished or as soon as the aircraft achieves a positive rate of climb. If practical, maintain best-angle-of-climb airspeed until reaching 50 feet or an altitude that provides clearance from terrain or obstacles. Then accelerate to best-rate-of-climb airspeed. If consistent with safety, make the first power reduction at 500 feet.
Fly a tight landing pattern to keep noise as close to the airport as possible. Practice descent to the runway at low power settings and with as few power changes as possible.
If possible, do not adjust the propeller control for flat pitch on the downwind leg; instead, wait until short final. This practice not only provides a quieter approach, but also reduces stress on the engine and propeller governor.
Avoid low-level, high-powered approaches, which not only create high noise impacts, but also limit options in the event of engine failure.
Flying between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. should be avoided whenever possible.

Note: These are general recommendations; some may not be advisable for every aircraft in every situation. No noise reduction procedure should be allowed to compromise flight safety.