City of Mesa, Arizona

Purpose:

The Falcon Field Airport (Airport) Fly Friendly Program was created to establish and maintain a partnership between airport and community stakeholders. The goal of the Program is to minimize the effects of flight operations at Falcon Field on the surrounding community while also ensuring the long-term success of the airport.

General Background:

The Airport is owned and operated by the City. However, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules and regulations limit the Citys ability to impose flight restrictions, such as limiting the hours of flight operations and prohibiting specific aviation businesses and aircraft types. Furthermore, the FAA is the only governmental agency with the authority to direct and control aircraft in flight.

Ultimately, the aircrafts pilot is in control of his/her aircraft and has the authority to make decisions about that aircraft for safety reasons. Since safety always comes first, these decisions may, at times, conflict with recommended aircraft noise abatement practices and procedures.

Brief History of the Fly Friendly Program:

In 2007, the City began recommending that pilots voluntarily comply with nationally-recognized noise abatement guidelines published by the Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association (AOPA), the National Business Aircraft Association (NBAA) and Helicopters Association International (HAI) when flying to and from Falcon Field. The City also invited stakeholders to participate on a Falcon Field Noise Committee for the purpose of establishing and maintaining an open dialogue regarding aircraft noise issues. The Committee met on a quarterly basis.

In April 2009, the City convened a Falcon Field Ad-Hoc Task Force to suggest reasonable solutions that balance and respond to the varying interests of the stakeholders. Task Force members included community members, airport tenants and businesses, including the airports largest flight training academy. In August 2009, the Task Force presented to the City a list of recommended strategies for reducing aircraft noise and safety concerns.

Efforts have been made by many of the key stakeholders to implement these recommendations to the greatest extent possible.