Wind direction determines which runway will be active. Aircraft will take off and land into the wind for safety purposes. The wind helps to slow the aircraft’s ground speed on approach and landing, making it easier to control and reduces the landing roll distance. On take-off, the wind helps pilots attain flying speed more quickly, which allows pilots to clear obstacles and attain a higher altitude before passing over populated areas.

The minimum altitude for airplanes is 1,000 feet above a populated area unless the aircraft is ascending after take-off or descending on approach to an airport. The exception to this is Mosquito Control spray aircraft, which may operate at a somewhat lower altitude with a special exemption from the Federal Aviation Administration.

Signs are posted in the airport pilot briefing room, as well as the entrance to each runway. Additionally, notices are published in aviation reference manuals. Naples Airport also includes noise abatement information on the Automatic Terminal Information Service, a radio broadcast system for all arriving and departing pilots.

Yes. Runway 5 is the northeast departure corridor and is over a commercial/industrial area.

Pilots are required to test the aircraft engines to ensure that the engines and systems are operating safely. This operational test is called an engine run-up, which is required prior to take-off. Routine operational run-ups are normally brief and performed just prior to take-off. Nighttime maintenance engine run-ups are prohibited from 10 p.m. until 7 a.m. Pilots are subject to fines if they violate airport regulations.

Naples Airport Authority cannot place operating restrictions that are contrary to the Federal Aviation Administration National Airports System Plan unless the Authority can fully demonstrate several things, including no restriction to interstate commerce. Moving the airport is cost prohibitive. Based on past studies, it would cost nearly $100 million to rebuild all of the facilities now located on the airport. In addition, there are no areas large enough for the airport that are not environmentally sensitive.

According to the Air Transport Action Group, the global aviation industry accounts for approximately 2 percent of anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. General aviation, including aircraft used for business, represents only 0.20 percent of the 36 giga-tons of global annual CO2 emissions from burning fossil fuels and making cement. (Source)

Naples has both a high pollen count and high humidity. When pollen mildews, it turns black and sticky.

In 2012, the City of Naples commissioned a study through a licensed engineering and geology firm with assessment and remediation capabilities to investigate and test the black soot that some Naples residents find outside on their lanais and cars. The study results showed that the material was pollen consistent with that of palm trees and was not petroleum-based. (Source)

In 2018, the NAA commissioned another test from a different firm with a sample from a roof tile on home under a flight path two miles northeast of the airport in the Wyndemere subdivision that showed the same results. (Source)

In addition to the $8.37 million invested in noise abatement efforts since 2000, the NAA has adopted the following measures and efforts to address the community’s concern with aircraft noise:

• Voluntary (due to federal law) flying curfews from 10 PM to 7 AM. Incentives are offered for pilots to change their travel plans outside of Quiet Hours.
• Ban on Stage 1 and Stage 2 jet aircraft, which are the oldest and noisiest types of jet aircraft.
• Redirection of approaching and departing aircraft over commercial areas to reduce noise over heavily populated residential developments.
• Preferred routes for arriving and departing helicopters over major roadways, away from residential areas.
• Departure turn headings to route northbound aircraft traffic over industrial areas and away from residential areas.
• Engine maintenance run-ups are prohibited from 10 PM until 7 AM. Daytime run-ups restricted to the center of the airport to reduce noise in the residential areas closest to the airport.
• Noise Abatement Hotline (239-643-1879) and Noise Comment Form to report excessive airport noise.
• Letters mailed monthly to all operators flying during the voluntary curfew, reiterating the importance of flying as quietly as possible and observing the curfew.
• The Noise Compatibility Committee, which holds regular meetings that are open to the public. Meeting notices are published on our website and officially posted in the General Aviation Terminal.
• Initiated the nearly $2 million Part 150 Noise Study (the NAA’s 4^th such effort) a voluntary but federally regulated process for determining noise impacts and evaluating possible mitigation techniques.
• Posting of names and contact information for the top curfew violators at the top of the NAA’s home page, flynaples.com
• Live flight tracking available to the public for help in determining information about aircraft overflights.
• Curfew information included in leasing and badging documents for airport tenants and users.
• Publish information about the Fly Safe Fly Quiet program and curfew throughout the airport and on the NAA’s web site.

For more information on Noise Abatement at the Naples Airport, please contact Zachary Burch, Community Engagement/Communications Manager, at 239.643.0733 or email zburch@flynaples.com.

FAA regulations prevent the airport from instituting a mandatory curfew. However, the NAA has made concerted efforts to establish and actively promote a voluntary “Quiet Hours” curfew program to deter pilots from flying between 10 PM and 7 AM.

Currently, the airport has over 98% compliance with the curfew and continually looks for additional ways to improve that number.

In short, no. There are federal laws that pertain to what the federal government considers “discrimination,” which prohibits an airport from arbitrarily deciding that some aircraft may land, and others may not.

Airports are public transportation facilities, similar to the interstate highway system, and aircraft are entitled to use any public airport they can safely land at.  This does not include aircraft that exceed the Naples Airport’s 75,000-pound weight limit.

Airport staff is currently working on further outreach to aircraft owners about the importance of following the Quiet Hours curfew and the impact that nighttime flying has on the community.

The airport contacts aircraft operators that violate the curfew to explain the importance of abiding by the curfew.

Letters are mailed monthly to all operators flying during the voluntary curfew to reiterate the importance of flying as quietly as possible and observing the curfew.

The NAA has also established a Fly Safe Fly Quiet campaign, which includes efforts such as:

• Signage and flyers that communicate the importance of curfew compliance and other noise mitigation strategies.
• Pilot incentives to adjust arrival or departure times
• Posting of names and contact information for the top curfew violators at the top of the NAA’s home page.
• Curfew information included in leasing and badging documents for airport tenants and users.
• New landing pages for Wi-Fi and flight planning computer that direct users straight to information about the Fly Safe Fly Quiet program and curfew information.

The Noise Compatibility Committee (NCC) was formed in 1997 to help the airport maintain its rigorous Noise Abatement Program, represent the community, and make recommendations regarding noise mitigation and abatement.

The NCC is made up of 9 citizen volunteers representing different geographic and stakeholder groups around the airport.  Additional information about the NCC, including contact information, can be found here.

The Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) is a critical part of the current Part 150 noise study and is made up of community volunteers representing the various stakeholder groups and geographic regions of the city and county. The role of the TAC is to provide technical input and feedback to the NAA, relative to the Part 150 Noise Study.  Additional information about the TAC, including contact information, can be found here.