Ultralight/Gyrocopter Vehicle Voluntary Noise Abatement Procedures, Pilot Information

The Longmont Municipal Airport has a voluntary noise abatement program. The Airport has developed the Voluntary Noise Abatement Procedures (VNAP) in an effort to be responsive to the concerns of our neighbors and to continue to provide an excellent facility for your use. Voluntary Noise Abatement Procedures (VNAP) are designed to minimize the exposure of residential and other noise sensitive areas to aircraft noise, while ensuring the safety of flight operations. Pilots are asked to follow the Voluntary Noise Abatement Procedures (VNAP) and “fly friendly” in an effort to be good neighbors to the citizens who live under the aircraft flight paths.

Be advised the procedures are recommended for arrivals, departures and pattern operations at Longmont Municipal Airport. They are not intended to supersede the responsibility of the pilot for compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations, Air Traffic Control clearances and operating parameters of the Aircraft Operations Manual. All recommended procedures are at the pilot's discretion, consistent with safety.

For Safety of Flight, avoid midfield crossovers during active skydiving operations.

Frequently Asked Questions (11.3KB)

GENERAL PROCEDURES

Right of Way: Ultralight vehicle operators shall yield the right-of-way to all aircraft at all times. (FAR 103.13 (a))

Traffic Pattern Altitude: Ultralights are requested to fly a 500 feet AGL traffic pattern.

Touch-and-Go’s: Shall be performed only when there is minimal traffic and ultralight operations can be performed without interference with aircraft operations. Ultralight operators performing touch-and-go’s should exercise care to sequence their takeoffs and landings to avoid wingtip vortices and wake turbulence caused by arriving and departing aircraft.

TRAFFIC PATTERN DIMENSIONS

Fly a Tight Pattern:

1. Runway 29 left downwind should be over Rogers road (southern boundary of the Airport)
2. Runway 11 left downwind should be over St. Vrain Road (northern boundary of the Airport)

Keep the pattern tight. Wide patterns are not authorized unless deviations are necessary for traffic avoidance or safety requirements.

(See Ultralight Vehicle Map Below for Recommended Approach and Departure Details)

Flight Over Congested Areas: FAR 103.15, restricts ultralights from operating over any congested area of a city, town or settlement, or over any open-air assemblies of persons.

The following are examples of flight maneuvers have caused the most anxiety to the community:

Most ultralight complaints are generated from early morning and early evening operations, especially on weekends.
The majority of complaints are related to low level operations over houses or near housing subdivisions.
Complaints have also come from property owners to the west of the Airport where flying low over farm fields has “spooked” farm animals.

For departures leaving the traffic pattern: Pilots should follow major roadways after leaving the pattern, such as 75th Street, Hover Road, Airport Road, Hwy 66, etc. Fly at least 1,000’ AGL or higher. Ultralights have a larger noise footprint than most types of regular aircraft.

Therefore, more altitude equals less noise impacts. By following major roadways, the noise impacts are lessened by having those sounds mixed with regular community traffic sounds.

Ultralight/Gyrocopter Map(1.72MB)

Populated Areas Map (1.32MB)

VOLUNTARY NOISE ABATEMENT ACRYONYMS

AGL - Above Ground Level

MSL - Above Mean Sea Level

RPM - Revolutions per Minute

TPA -Traffic Pattern Altitude

VASI - Visual Approach Slope Indicator

Vx - Best Angle of Climb

Vy - Best Rate of Climb

VFR - Visual Flight Rules

AIRPORT NOISE AND SAFETY REPORTING

Noise Complaint Online Form

To Report a Suggestion, Complaint or Concern: 303-651-8431, Press 1

Federal Aviation Administration
Denver Flight Standards District Office: 303-342-1100
Aviation Noise Ombudsman (Washington, DC): 202-493-5047

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