Can't you demand that these pilots not fly over this neighborhood?
No. In accordance with the Federal Preemption on Airspace regulation (49 U.S.C. 40101), the FAA has exclusive authority in regulating airspace over the United States and prescribes air traffic regulations on the flight of aircraft.
Although staff makes pilots aware of the impact that overflights have on the residential community and asks that such overflights be avoided, safety permitting, the City does not have the authority to address or act upon aircraft in flight. Therefore, all of Tracy's noise abatement procedures are requests to pilots, and hence, are voluntary in nature.
Does Tracy have a curfew like other airports have in place? If not, why?
Tracy does not have any noise restrictions, curfews or ordinances in place.
Very few airports in California have curfews and those were established prior to the adoption of the Airport Noise and Capacity Act of 1990. Since the passage of that federal legislation, it has become virtually impossible to establish a curfew at a public airport. While there is officially a process (e.g., Part 150, Part 161 studies) that can be used to establish a curfew, to date the FAA has not approved the establishment of a new curfew.
The FAA's and the state's basic criteria for noise compatibility planning is defined by extent of the 65 CNEL noise contour. An airport is legally considered as "noise sensitive" when the 65 CNEL noise contour reaches into residential areas. (This is not to imply that residents are not disturbed within the 60 CNEL or 55 CNEL noise contours.)
Tracy has considerable buffer zones beyond the end of each runway that contain the 65 Community Noise Equivalent Level (CNEL) noise contour well within the boundaries of the airport. Since Tracy does not meet the basic criteria, the FAA will not support or fund a Part 150 noise compatibility study, nor permit that any access restrictions be implemented.
What is the Airport doing to address aircraft noise and noise complaints?
Staff continues to work with pilots and flight instructors to communicate the need to apply quiet flying techniques and follow local noise abatement procedures. Staff also disseminates noise abatement procedures through signage at the airport and on all runways and taxiways.
Airport staff receive and log aircraft noise complaints. Anyone calling to file a noise complaint should state their name and address, the time the aircraft was observed and, if possible, a brief description of the aircraft (e.g., color, number of engines, low or high mounted wings, etc.) and an N-number. A daytime phone number should be provided if a return call is desired. Because of noise complaints, Airport staff has been able to identify aircraft and, on certain occasions, has contacted pilots directly.
The City of Tracy and the airport staff take your complaints seriously. If you see an aircraft that seems to be operating unusually low or extremely loud, the City would like to hear about it. This can be done in two ways. You can call the Airport Office at (209)831-6215 to provide information regarding the aircraft or follow the online process. If you wish to file a noise complaint online, please utilize the instructions below. Receipt of your complaint will be confirmed.
- Go to Go Tracy! App
- Select Transportation
- Select Airport Noise
Where can I find information about the Tracy Municipal Code?
The Airport Rules and Regulations are contained in the Tracy Municipal Code Title 2, Tracy Municipal Airport and New Jerusalem Airport, Chapter 2.28.
Who has jurisdiction over the Airport and who pays for its upkeep?
The City of Tracy owns and operates the Tracy Municipal Airport (TCY) and New Jerusalem Airport (1Q4) as an enterprise fund, meaning that operating and capital budgets are user funded through land and hangar leases, fuel sales. Some General Fund or taxpayer monies are involved to support the Airport.
The Airport is largely built with federal grant funds, issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for eligible airfield improvements, maintenance projects, and land acquisitions. The grants are obtained from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, which is also entirely user-funded through taxes levied on aviation fuels, passenger tickets, air transportation of goods, and the use of civil aircraft.
Upon accepting these federal grants, the City assured the federal government under Title 49, United States Code that it will agree to several grant assurances. Two of those most relevant to the operation of the airport call for the City to:
- Continue to operate the facility as a public-use airport.
- Make the airport available to the public on reasonable terms without unjust discrimination to all types, kind and classes of aeronautical activities, including commercial aeronautical activities offering services to the public at the airport.
The State Department of Transportation (Caltrans), Division of Aeronautics, issues an Airport Permit and assures the safe continued operation of the airport through annual safety compliance inspections.
Why can't aircraft operations be restricted at Tracy?
As noted above, the city cannot restrict access to any type of aircraft that can safely use the Airport. This applies to aerobatics planes, jets, hot air balloons, and helicopters.
What should future homebuyers consider when moving near the airport?
If you are considering purchasing a home or a business in areas where you can view or hear aircraft using TCY, consider spending time in the vicinity first to make sure the air traffic and noise are acceptable to your lifestyle or work environment. This is especially advisable if you plan to locate your home or business in an area directly beneath the extended approach and immediate departure areas.
Can the Aerobatic planes go practice somewhere else?
The Federal Aviation Administration designated, after much study, two areas in the city’s jurisdiction for the placement of an aerobatics box within a designated air space along with several other cities in California. These boxes are to create a safe area for aerobatics planes to practice their skills. For these boxes to be used, an aerobatics chapter must apply for a waiver and be approved by the FAA. These waivers can be renewed every 2-3 years by reapplying to the FAA. The International Aerobatics Chapter #38 currently has the waiver for Tracy Municipal Airport. A Canadian chapter has the waiver for New Jerusalem. The aerobatics box and its usage are solely under the jurisdiction of the Federal Aviation Administration.