For more than 40 years, the Port of Oakland has endeavored to develop programs that minimize noise impacts on surrounding communities at San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport. Long before the current sophisticated noise-monitoring system was installed, airport management met regularly with aircraft operators, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and community representatives to develop noise abatement procedures. Today the airport continues to meet with these groups in order to find ways to balance various concerns — noise and other environmental issues, consumer and air carrier demands, economic opportunities, and regional transportation needs — while maintaining safety as its number one priority. Pilot education continues to be an important part of San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport’s noise abatement program.

Timeline

1970

  • Noise Abatement Task Force is established.
  • Engine Run-up Policy is established.
  • North Field Preferential Runway Use Program is established.

1980

  • North Field Visual Flight Rule (VFR) Flight Patterns are changed to direct planes and helicopters over the estuary and industrial areas.
  • Pilots of small cargo aircraft departing from South Field and flying VFR are advised to make a left 270 degree turn and fly over the airport when heading east to avoid flying over residential areas neighboring the airport.
  • North Field Preferential Runway Use Program is modified – North Field operations over Alameda are restricted between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

1990

  • Noise monitoring microphones are installed in Alameda, San Leandro, and San Lorenzo.
  • North Field Noise Abatement runway signs are installed.
  • Noise Abatement Task Force becomes the Oakland Airport-Community Noise Management Forum

2000

  • The Alameda Sound Insulation Program is completed for 558 homeowners who participated in the program, resulting in a participation rate of 89 percent.

  • North Field “SALAD” departure flight pattern is implemented.
  • $4.5 Million Ground Run-Up Enclosure (GRE) “Hush-House” is built.
  • Runway 12 nighttime Quiet Departure is developed.
  • An airport noise management website is implemented — WebTrak, a near-live flight display on the Airport website.

  • Additional remote noise monitor terminals are installed.

2010

  • The remote noise monitoring system is replaced with state-of-the-art terminals and ANOMS upgrades and new modules are installed with a $1.25M federal grant.
  • The OAK Noise Office website is updated and includes a new version of WebTrak services for flight investigation by community residents, new services for the airline and pilot community, WhisperTrack, and WebTrak Fly Quiet.

2020

  • Viewpoint App was created to assist the community with real time noise comments.

  • The OAK Noise Office website is refreshed with state-of-the-art design and security features.
  • The remote noise monitoring system is replaced with state-of-the-art EMU terminals and ANOMS upgrades and new modules are installed.
  • The InsightFull platform was created to further enhance community engagement.