Noise Abatement
Westchester County Airport, as part of its effort to reduce the noise levels created by aircraft operations, voluntarily maintains a noise abatement program at the airport.
Under the auspices of the airport Environmental Department and the Environmental Management System, the noise abatement office carefully monitors and reports the airport’s impacts on aircraft noise levels and compliance with Westchester County’s voluntary noise abatement programs.
An Airport Noise and Operations Monitoring System (ANOMS) is used to collect noise data from 22 remote noise monitoring terminals 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The aircraft and community noise levels are reported and published in the Airport Monitor.
You may download the current issue of the Airport Monitor to read and print.
In 2002, the County initiated the Westchester County Airport Aircraft Noise Study to identify existing and likely future noise impacts resulting from aircraft operations at the airport.
Noise abatement program
Westchester County Airport was one of the first airports in the country to establish a noise abatement office as well as to install computerized remote noise monitoring terminals to record aircraft and community noise levels. Today, the airport has six major noise abatement programs which are in effect daily.
All of these programs are designed to reduce the noise levels created by aircraft operations and are closely monitored by the noise abatement office. For instance, Westchester County has adopted a Voluntary Restraint from Flying Program (commonly referred to as the “voluntary curfew”), which asks that all operators refrain from flying between midnight and 6:30 a.m. when possible. The noise abatement office keeps track of all operations that take place during voluntary curfew hours.
It is the responsibility of the airport Environmental Department to monitor compliance with the airport’s voluntary noise abatement programs, to respond to citizen and governmental noise concerns and issues, and to research new noise abatement initiatives in an effort to reduce the impacts of aircraft noise on our surrounding communities and residents.
Aircraft operators
Special noise abatement programs have been specifically developed for helicopters, light general aviation (12,500 lbs. and less) and large aircraft (greater than 12,500 lbs.) to further reduce noise levels in the vicinity of the airport. We ask that all operators participate to their fullest. As always, safety is paramount. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.
We at Westchester County Airport ask that you keep the curfew in mind when making travel plans. When you fly into Westchester County Airport, you’re not just entering an airport, you’re entering a neighborhood.
Our Neighbors
Westchester County and the airport truly understand the aircraft noise concerns of its neighbors and communities and work in a collaborative effort with aircraft operators and citizens alike to minimize aircraft noise impacts. The County is committed to implementing programs and procedures that will help reduce the impact of aircraft noise on the surrounding communities.
The airport Environmental Department is dedicated to working with and educating the general public on noise issues, flight paths and noise monitoring terminals, and working proactively with aircraft operators to promote noise abatement awareness by means of pilot informational handouts, publications, airfield signage, educational videos and motivational awards.
Register a noise complaint
The Environmental Department operates a hot line that citizens can call to register noise complaints at (914) 939-8484. Citizens should be prepared to provide the following information when lodging a noise complaint:
- Caller’s name and address (please spell out);
- Nearest cross street;
- City/town, state and zip code;
- Describe the noise event by date and time of the event, type of aircraft involved and description or color (e.g. commercial jet or single-engine propeller) and its direction relative to your location;
- Include any other descriptive adjectives that may be helpful to have (e.g. low, loud, vibration, or frequent traffic);
- State if you would like a follow-up call and if so, remember to leave a phone number where you wish to be reached. Allow 10 business days for a return response; and,
- State if you would like a copy of your complaint with the airport’s findings. Allow 10 business days for a return response.
Complaints may also be submitted through our online form or faxed to (914) 995-3980.
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