Noise 101

Noise Explained

The San Diego International Airport is conveniently located to many San Diego residents and businesses. Even though the location is convenient it does create some inherent challenges for those who live and work near the Airport. 

SAN along with the airlines, the FAA and Air Traffic Control (ATC) strive to balance the needs of the community with those of the passengers of SAN. Even though we do not dictate the flight path (that’s the responsibility of the FAA and ATC) or fly the planes (that’s the airlines), it is our job to act as an intermediary between all parties fostering transparency in airport operations over the communities surrounding the airport.

The following pages are meant to help explain Airport Noise Mitigation's role in these tasks and what we are doing to help reduce noise in the community.

Curfew Explained

“The Curfew” is a part of the Airport Use Regulations, formally adopted as SDCRAA Code 9.40, Airport Use Regulations.  In the simplest of terms, “The Curfew” is the Time of Day Restrictions that limits nighttime aircraft departures.

The following text has been excerpted from the Airport Use Regulations.  If you have any questions or concerns regarding these regulations, please contact Airport Noise Mitigation at (619) 400-2789, Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.  During all other times, please call (619) 400-2799.

Time of Day Restrictions

• Arrivals / All Aircraft – There are no noise related Time of Day Restrictions on arriving aircraft.  Arrivals are permitted 24-hours a day.
• No person shall perform an engine run-up at a power setting above idle power between 11:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. (2330-0630) local time, unless they meet the exceptions criteria.
• Nighttime Departures / All Aircraft – No person shall operate any aircraft on departure from the airport between the hours of 11:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. (2330-0630) local time, unless they meet the exceptions criteria.
• Non-Stage 3 Aircraft – No person shall operate any aircraft on departure, or perform an engine run-up at a power setting above idle power, from the airport between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. (2200-0700) local time.

Exceptions

• Emergency and Mercy Flights - The prohibitions of the Time of Day Restrictions shall not be applicable to any aircraft operation at the airport which is conducted in an emergency situation, or to any mercy flight authorized in advance by the senior airport official on duty.  Per State law, the operator must provide a written report with full details on the nature of the emergency to the Airport Noise Mitigation office, no later than three (3) days after the occurrence.  Please click here to download the Life-Flight exemption form.
• Engine Run-ups – The prohibitions on Engine Run-ups shall not be applicable when the run-up is necessary to allow an aircraft engaged in an emergency or mercy flight to comply with safety, legal, or regulatory obligations or requirements prior to commencing operation.

Administrative Penalties

“Curfew Violations”

• 1st offense per calendar 6-month compliance period: $2,000
• 2nd offense per calendar 6-month compliance period: $6,000
• 3rd offense per calendar 6-month compliance period: $10,000

Additionally, a multiplier may be added to reflect the multiple number of violations during the previous compliance period.  After the 3rd (or more) offense, the operating privileges of any operator may be terminated, or limited, on such terms and conditions, and for such period of time, as the Authority Board determines is appropriate.

Learn More about the Curfew Violation Review Panel (CVRP)

FAR Part 150

14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 150, Airport Noise Compatibility Planning, was issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a final rule in January 1985. 14 CFR Part 150 sets forth the methodology and procedures to be followed when preparing aircraft noise exposure maps and developing airport /airport environs land use compatibility programs.

14 CFR Part 150 studies typically consist of two primary components: (1) the Noise Exposure Map (NEM) report which contains detailed information regarding existing and 5-year future airport/aircraft noise exposure patterns, and (2) the Noise Compatibility Program (NCP) report which includes descriptions and an evaluation of noise abatement and noise mitigation options/programs applicable to an airport.

Quarterly Noise Reports

The Quarterly Noise Report details the noise activities at the San Diego International Airport. Information includes statistical summaries, aircraft noise measurements, information on airport operations, noise complaint statistics, enforcement actions, reports on the residential sound insulation program and information about the Airport Noise Advisory Committee.

Variance

A variance is required by the California Department of Transportation when there are areas surrounding the San Diego International Airport that are impacted by more than 65 dBs of noise. Therefore, in order to maintain operations the San Diego International Airport must have conditions in place in order to reduce noise impacts to those in areas above 65 dBs of noise.

Click here for the current San Diego International Airport’s Variance.

Variance Application Acceptance From Caltrans.