Airport Noise Compatibility Efforts
The city of Scottsdale has a long history of proactive noise abatement efforts:
- In 1978, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 1757 jointly with the City of Phoenix to designate Sky Harbor Airport for air carrier aircraft (DC-8, DC-9, B707, B727, B737, B747) while developing Scottsdale Airport as a reliever airport with only commuter airline service.
- In 1980, the City Council ordered the sale of excess airport land to lessen the chances the airport would have additional runways or accommodate air carrier type aircraft in the future.
- In 1984, after a lengthy Environmental Impact Study process, the runway was lengthened to accommodate jets year-round. It was shifted 3,500 feet to the northeast to raise altitudes of arriving aircraft over the residential areas southwest of the runway.
- The 1985 Airport Master Plan recommended no additional runways, virtually assuring that Scottsdale Airport will remain a single-runway airport for the foreseeable future.
- The Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) lights at the runway ends are set at the maximum 4 degrees instead of the standard 3 degrees to encourage aircraft approaches to be as high as safely possible.
- In 1996, lighted noise abatement reminder signs were installed at the ends of both runways to encourage and remind pilots to use noise abatement procedures.
- The landing thresholds at both runway ends have been displaced to help raise the altitude of arriving aircraft over residential areas. The Runway 03 landing threshold at the south end of the airport is displaced 750' to the northeast, and at the northern end of the airport the Runway 21 landing threshold is displaced 400' to the southwest.
- In 1998, Noise Abatement displays and pilot guides were placed in flight schools and fixed base operators at other valley airports to inform pilots who may only occasionally use Scottsdale Airport on local noise abatement procedures.
- In 2004, Scottsdale Airport staff worked with the Federal Aviation Administration and local helicopter operators to update the helicopter letter of agreement for based helicopter operators; and developed a helicopter pilot guide as a reference tool for transient pilots.
- Starting in 2005 and currently, pilot briefings are held to help increase safety and awareness for noise abatement recommendations.