Much of the noise problem might disappear if the Airport pursued a more aggressive policy. Directly quoting the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), following are some ideas:
"Pilots —
Be aware of noise sensitive areas, particularly residential areas near airports you use, and avoid low flight over these areas.
Fly traffic patterns tight and high, keeping your airplane in as close to the field as possible.
In constant-speed-propeller aircraft, do not use high rpm settings in the pattern. Prop noise from high-performance singles and twins increases drastically at high rpm settings.
On takeoff, reduce to climb power as soon as safe and practical.
Climb after liftoff at best-angle-of-climb speed until crossing the airport boundary, then climb at best rate.
Depart from the start of the runway, rather than intersections, for the highest possible altitude when leaving the airport vicinity.
Climb out straight ahead to 1,000 feet or so (unless that path crosses a noise-sensitive area). Turns rob an aircraft of climb ability.
Avoid prolonged runups, and do them inside the airport area, rather than at its perimeter.
Try low-power approaches, and always avoid the low, dragged-in approach.
If you want to practice night landings, stay away from residential airports. Do your practice at major fields where a smaller airplane's sound is less obtrusive.
Instructors —
Teach noise abatement procedures to all students, including pilots you take up for a biennial flight review. Treat noise abatement as you would any other element of instruction.
Know noise-sensitive areas, and point them out as you come and go with students.
Assure that your students fly at or above the recommended pattern altitude.
Practice maneuvers over unpopulated areas, and vary your practice areas so that the same locale is not constantly subjected to aircraft operations.
During practice of ground-reference maneuvers, be particularly aware of houses or businesses in your flight path.
Stress that high rpm prop settings are reserved for takeoff and for short final but not for flying the pattern. Pushing the prop to high rpm results in significantly higher levels of noise.
If your field is noise sensitive, endorse your students' logbooks for landing at a more remote field, if available within a 25-nm range, to reduce touch-and-go activity at our airport.
Fixed-Base Operators —
Identify noise-sensitive areas near your airport, and work with your instructors and customers to create voluntary noise abatement procedures.
Post any noise abatement procedures in a prominently visible area, and remind pilots who rent your aircraft or fly from your airport of the importance of adhering to them.
Mail copies of noise abatement procedures with monthly hangar and tiedown bills. Make copies available on counter space for transient pilots.
Assure that your instructors are teaching safe noise abatement techniques.
Call for use of the least noise sensitive runway whenever wind conditions permit.
Try to minimize night touch-and-go training at your airport if it is in a residential area. Encourage the use of nonresidential airports for this type of training operation.
Initiate pilot education programs to teach and explain the rationale for noise abatement procedures and positive community relations.
And For the Surrounding Community —
Send a copy of the noise abatement pattern established for your airport, along with a brief explanation of its purpose, to the local newspaper. Let the public know PILOTS ARE CONCERNED.
See that the pattern, approach, and departure paths are designated on official ZONING AND PLANNING MAPS so real estate activity is conducted in full awareness of such areas.
Lobby for land use zoning and building codes in these areas that are compatible with airport activity and will protect neighboring residents.
Stress, publicize, and communicate the value of the airport to the community and how its operation adds to the safety, economy, and overall worth of the area.
Sponsor "airport days" at the airport to involve nonfliers with the business and fun of aviation and possibly attract potential new pilots.
Encourage beautification projects at the airport. Trees and bushes around the runup and departure areas have proven effective in absorbing ground noise from airplanes. 1