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Chandler Municipal Airport
Noise Report
AIRCRAFT TYPE
CALL LOCATION
Households
Contacts
Households
Contacts
Propeller
5
Chandler
5
Noise
1
1
5
6
Helicopter
1
Gilbert
1
Low Flying
5
5
2
2
Jet
1
Sun Lakes
0
Traffic
2
2
2
2
Other
1
Other
2
Other
0
0
0
0
January 2023
January 2023
January 2022
In January 2023, eight (8) households made eight (8) reports regarding aircraft activity. One (1) report
was for aircraft noise. Five (5) reports were for low-flying aircraft. Two (2) reports were for aircraft
traffic. All eight (8) households were first-time complainants. (Cont’d)
Previous Caller New Caller
Meeting Date:
February 8, 2023
Chandler Municipal Airport
Noise Report
➢ First complainant reported that lately aircraft near the residence had been flying exceptionally
low and wanted to verify that they were at the proper altitude. VirTower flight tracking verified
that aircraft were flying at or above regulatory altitudes. Also provided the complainant with
FAR § 91.119 defining minimum safe altitudes.
➢ Second complainant, who resides in south Phoenix reported that over the past couple of
months the amount of air traffic has increased above the residence. Flight tracking indicated
most air traffic was inbound or departing PHX Sky Harbor except for a few instances of police,
medevac, and TV News helicopters in the area.
➢ Third complainant, who also resides in south Phoenix reported unusual air traffic when an
airplane was making circles over the neighborhood and provided the “N” number from Flight
Aware. VirTower flight tracking identified the aircraft as a CHD based aircraft used for flight
training and while maneuvering over the neighborhood was above the required regulatory
altitude. Later, it was revealed the student pilot in the aircraft was showing his flight instructor
where he lived and took some aerial photos of his parent’s house. Staff also provided the
complainant with FAR § 91.119 defining minimum safe altitudes.
➢ Forth complainant, who identified himself as a private pilot observed two aircraft converge onto
each other and then seem to maneuver to avoid each other. VirTower flight tracking indicated
that both aircraft were approaching from the Southwest for landing at the airport and
maneuvered for what appeared to be spacing and sequencing. Control tower staff later
confirmed the same and that both aircraft had visual contact with each other.
➢ Fifth complainant, who lives in Gilbert asked how the flight path could be switched back to the
east over the farmland and reported aircraft over the residence at all hours of the night. The
residence was plotted on the extended runway centerline of RWY 12R/30L at Mesa-Gateway.
VirTower flight tracking revealed many airliners departing around mid-night and passing directly
over the residence. Staff contacted the complainant and advised their concerns should go to
IWA. Complainant apologized and stated they had called the wrong airport. They were provided
the noise reporting contact at IWA.
➢ Sixth complainant, who also lives in Gilbert reported that a low-flying airplane went directly
over the residence. VirTower confirmed the complainant’s observation and identified the
aircraft as belonging to an airport tenant. Later, it was revealed that the offending aircraft was
being rented and departed for Winslow, AZ with four occupants and loaded with fuel, which is
consistent with the slow, low, and full-power climb out. The chief pilot for the airport tenant
advised he would address the situation with the renting pilot.
Meeting Date:
February 8, 2023
➢ Seventh complainant, who lives in south Chandler near Cooper Rd., reported a sharp increase
in helicopter traffic over and near the residence, and also reported approximately 30 helicopters
flew over the residence in the prior day. VirTower flight tracking revealed heavy helicopter
traffic north and southbound directly over Cooper Road. Flight training helicopters attempt to
overfly the roadway as much as possible. The Cooper Road corridor (as it’s known by tenant
flight crews) is a self-imposed procedure by Quantum Helicopters to help reduce impact to
residential areas. On the day of concern, only one helicopter deviated from the Cooper Rd.
corridor due to a conflict and went over the neighborhood. Staff has notified the chief flight
instructor of the reported helicopter concerns.
➢ Eighth complainant reported increased traffic over the residence in the early morning around
5:30 AM. VirTower flight tracking revealed that much of the morning air traffic is transiting the
Chandler airspace from Falcon Field to avoid Mesa-Gateway. Complainant inquired as to city
ordinances regarding noise from aircraft and restrictions for flight at night. Staff Informed the
complainant of 24/7 operations and that noise concerns are addressed for voluntary
consideration of the flying community. Additionally, VirTower did not reveal any direct
residential overflights of aircraft departing or arriving into the Chandler Airport in the
proceeding weeks at the time frame reported.