General Noise Control Guidelines

Cameron Park Airport adopted noise control guidelines over 30 years ago. Pilots are asked to voluntarily observe the procedures to prevent excessive noise and, generally, to be a good neighbor. Safety always supersedes noise abatement procedures; nevertheless, please do your best to fly quietly.

FAA Advisory Circular 90-66B is a great reference for procedures at Non-Towered airports. A PDF copy of the Advisory Circular can be obtained by clicking HERE.

Pattern Entry: Runway 13 and Runway 31 follow the recommended standard left-hand pattern as depicted in the Airman's Information Manual (AIM) for both .

• Pattern entry is made in level flight at traffic pattern altitude (2300 MSL) on a 45 degree course to enter the left downwind leg at its midpoint
• On the downwind leg of the pattern, maintain pattern altitude until abeam the touchdown point.
• The downwind leg for Runway 31 is just to the WEST of the ridge paralleling the runway to the west of the airport. Avoid flight directly over the ridge and between the ridge and the airport due to noise sensitivity.
• Complete turns from base leg to final at least 1/4 mile from the runway touchdown area.

Noise Control in Approach Corridors: Plan to touch down at or beyond the Displaced Threshold

• Runway 31 is the preferred runway (no wind)
• The Runway 31 displaced threshold is 1,510 from the end of the runway due to high terrain south of the airport.
• On the Runway 31 approach, it is recommended to overfly this higher terrain at a minimum altitude of 1,700 MSL and land at or beyond the displaced threshold.
• Flying through the pass, or "notch," to the south of the airport during takeoff or landing is strongly discouraged due to noise sensitivity in that area. Fly square corners in the pattern.
• Runway 13 has a 200 foot displaced threshold. Make turns from base leg to final no closer than Green Valley Road (1/4 mile north)

Noise Abatement Procedures: When departing in either direction, obey the posted Noise Abatement signs displayed at each end of the runway.

• Climb straight ahead to 2,000 MSL before making any turns from either Runway 13 or Runway 31. The altitude was formerly 1,800 MSL for Runway 13, but has since changed due to noise complaints.
• During flight in the pattern avoid flying over the trailer park located to the northeast and the schools located to the northwest of the airport.

High Speed Low Passes:  Things to consider when going down the runway. 

•  FAR 91.119 prohibits flight “over other than congested areas” to an altitude of 500 feet above the surface, except when over open water or sparsely populated areas; then you can fly lower as long as the airplane is not operated closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure.FAR 91.119 states that you have to stay above the altitudes indicated in the rule “except when necessary for takeoff or landing,” but the FAA almost certainly won’t agree that this exception includes a high-speed, low-altitude pass just for fun.
• The FAA views this exception very narrowly, as mostly recently shown when the agency sought enforcement action against a pilot who was conducting an inspection pass of an off-airport landing site in accordance with FAA guidance, but came within 500 feet of structures. That case is currently still being appealed.
• What about a practice approach, touch and goes, or a go-around? Although not specifically addressed in the regulation, the FAA has long stated that these maneuvers in the traffic pattern fall under the “except when necessary for landing” exception. In doing so, the FAA cites cases that found the purpose of these maneuvers is to improve a pilot’s capabilities.
• Unless you can comply with the minimum safe altitudes in FAR 91.119, reconsider your low pass.

Good Neighbor Policy: The airport is in the heart of a residential area that continues to grow through infill and expansion. It is imperative that pilots make every effort to ensure the airport is a good neighbor to the rest of the community. Noise Abatement procedures and maintaining proper altitudes must be practiced 24 hours a day!