FLY QUIET PROGRAM

Our airport is a community facility surrounded by high-density residential development and elementary schools. Wings Field is located in an EXTREMELY NOISE SENSITIVE area in all quadrants. In consideration of our neighbors, we, as pilots, are obligated to fly safely with minimal noise impact to those on the ground. Practicing the quiet departure and arrival procedures illustrated in this part of our website will reduce disturbances to our neighbors and create a friendly flying atmosphere at Wings Field.

Listed below are recommended voluntary noise abatement procedures for single- and twin-engine piston fixed wing airplanes, helicopters, and turbojet and turboprop aircraft operating at Wings Field. These procedures are available for download for your convenience in a kneeboard size. For best results, use 8-1/2” x 11” paper, a landscape orientation, a color printer, and print on both sides of the paper. Then fold or cut the pages to the kneeboard size. Also available for download are aerial photographs and maps of our traffic pattern that illustrate the location of noise sensitive areas that surround our airport.

Download Noise Abatement Procedures:

– Single and Twin Piston .pdf download (644KB)
– Jet Aircraft Procedures .pdf download (286KB)
– Helicopter Procedures .pdf download (313KB)
– Traffic Pattern Map – Helicopters .pdf download (439KB)
– Traffic Pattern Map – Jets .pdf download (472KB)
– Traffic Pattern Map – Single and Twin Engine Airplanes .pdf download (484KB)
- Form: Request to Operate Aircraft Weighing over 12,500 lbs. at Wings Field .pdf download (20KB)

Compliance with noise abatement procedures is requested unless deviations are made necessary by weather, ATC instructions or clearances, an in-flight emergency or other safety considerations. Recommended procedures are not intended to preempt the responsibilities of the pilot-in-command for safe aircraft operations. Recommended procedures are not intended to conflict with instructions from ATC or those that are the exclusive authority of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Pattern Altitudes

Turbojets, turboprop, and heavy multi-engine aircraft 2,000’ MSL (1,700’ AGL)
Helicopters 2,000’ MSL (1,700’ AGL)
Single engine and light multi-engine aircraft 1,500’ MSL (1,200’ AGL)

APU/GPU Usage

To respect the noise sensitivities of our neighbors, use of Auxiliary Power Units (APU) on the ground shall not exceed 10 minutes. APU’s or other non-electric powered Ground Power Units (GPU) should not be operated from 2300 (11:00 pm) to 0600 (6:00 am) local time.

Wait Times

Wait times with engines running in the ramp and terminal areas cannot exceed 5 minutes.

Run-ups

All persons who engage in normal pre-takeoff and aircraft/engine maintenance runups shall follow the procedure listed below.

  1. Helicopter, turbojet, turboprop, and piston engine aircraft runups are prohibited on ramp areas. Caution should be exercised to prevent undue noise and prop blast on airport tenant areas. Aircraft shall not be positioned so that rotor, propeller slipstream or engine exhaust is directed at spectators, personnel, hangars, shops or other buildings in such manner as might cause personal injury or property damage.
  2. All maintenance runups shall be conducted between the hours of 8:00 am and 6:00 pm, Monday through Saturday. In an emergency, the Airport Manager, in his/her discretion, may approve maintenance runups during other hours – on a case-by-case basis. However, maintenance runups are prohibited from 2300 (11:00 pm) to 0600 (6:00 am) local time. Runup hours may be adjusted at the discretion of the Airport Manager if the noise impact on the local community so warrants.
  3. Preferred runup areas for maintenance and pre-takeoff operations are as follows:
    • Taxiway Alpha runup area at end of Runway 6 – position aircraft to keep noise to a minimum
    • Taxiway Charlie for Runway 24 – position aircraft to keep noise to a minimum
    • Runups should not be conducted in the holding area at end of Runway 24

These regulations are set forth in order to provide maximum possible relief to residents of the communities surrounding Wings Field. While the Airport Manager recognizes the need for maintenance runups to ensure safety of flight, the Airport Manager asks all aircraft operators to carefully consider the impact of noise on our neighbors and plan runup activities accordingly.

Approval Required to Operate Aircraft Weighing over 12,500 lbs.

Wings Field operates as a general aviation “utility” type airport, accommodating single- and twin-engine aircraft having a maximum takeoff weight of 12,500 lbs. or less and an approach speed of less than 121 knots. Wings is also a noise sensitive airport continuously striving to be a good neighbor to its surrounding communities. In addition to complying with all applicable FAA regulations, pilots are requested to comply with, safety permitting, Wings Field’s Noise Abatement Procedures.

To use Wings Field, all operators of aircraft that weigh in excess of 12,500 lbs. MTOGW and those aircraft with known high noise levels must complete and submit to the Wings Airport Manager a form titled Request to Aircraft Weighing over 12,500 lbs. at Wings Field. You can download this form by clicking on the link below or by calling the Airport Manager at 215.646.0400 and he will fax it to you.

Form: Request to Operate Aircraft Weighing over 12,500 lbs. at Wings Field .pdf download (20KB)

This form must be completed and submitted by the aircraft owner or operator either before the first operation by any aircraft weighing more than 12,500 lbs. MTOGW or prior to the first departure of such aircraft. If this form has not been completed and submitted prior to the first arrival at Wings Field, the Captain of the arriving aircraft shall contact Line Dispatch Staff to request a copy of the form.

Upon presentation of the Request to Aircraft Weighing over 12,500 lbs. at Wings Field form to the Captain, an airport staff member shall provide information to him/her regarding the Wings Field noise regulations.

Permission will be granted to the operators of such aircraft subject to the following terms:

  1. Turbine-powered aircraft should follow NBAA noise abatement approach and landing procedures.
  2. As with all operations of aircraft on short runways, operators and their pilots should carefully consider the operating limitations of their aircraft, balanced field length requirements, braking capabilities, etc.
  3. All operations conducted shall be subject to all Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules, regulations and/or procedures. These procedures are not intended to preempt the responsibilities of the pilot-in-command for safe aircraft operations. Recommended procedures are not intended to conflict with instructions from ATC or those that are the exclusive authority of the FAA.
  4. No operations of State I aircraft are permitted.

Recommended Arrival and Departure Procedures

Wings has developed specific arrival and departure procedures for fixed wing aircraft, helicopters, and jet aircraft. For details on these procedures, click on the links below.


Click here to download Single and
Twin Engine Piston Procedures
Click here to download
Helicopter Procedures
Click here to download
Jet Aircraft Procedures

We encourage you to download these procedures for the type(s) of aircraft you fly. Please be conscientious in flying these procedures, fly safely, and keep our neighbors in mind.

Additional Resources on Noise Abatement