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Chandler Municipal Airport
Noise Report
AIRCRAFT TYPE
CALL LOCATION
Households
Contacts
Households
Contacts
Propeller
3
Chandler
31
Noise
2
2
5
6
Helicopter
35
Gilbert
9
Low Flying
36
35
2
2
Jet
1
Sun Lakes
3
Traffic
4
4
2
2
Other
0
Other
0
Other
0
0
0
0
February 2023
February 2023
February 2022
In February 2023, forty-one (41) households made forty-two (42) reports regarding aircraft activity. Two
(2) reports were for aircraft noise. Thirty-six (36) reports were for low-flying aircraft. Four (4) reports
were for aircraft traffic. Only one (1) household was a repeat complainant. (Cont’d)
Previous Caller New Caller
Meeting Date:
April 12, 2023
Chandler Municipal Airport
Noise Report
➢ First complainant reported a low flying helicopter passed over the residence and rattled the
house. Flight tracking revealed that the offending aircraft was an AZ-ANG Boeing UH-60
Blackhawk helicopter traveling southbound just east of the residence at an altitude of 2900 feet
MSL (1600 feet AGL). This helicopter had been in the area all week leading up to the Super Bowl.
➢ Second complainant called Monday following the Super Bowl with concerns of late-night jet
traffic leaving the airport and was worried about a project increase in aircraft traffic. Informed
the complainant that his concerns were associated with the visiting Super Bowl aircraft
departing after the game and that it was a one-in-eight-year event.
➢ Third complainant report an extremely low aircraft over the highway (L202). Flight tracking
revealed it was an aircraft departing Stellar Airport and was in a normal climb profile.
➢ Fourth complainant was a repeat of #1. Low flying helicopter was an AZ-ANG Blackhawk
transiting the airspace. Complainant was provided contact information for the AZ Dept. of
Military Affairs.
➢ Fifth complainant reported a low-flying helicopter over the residence at 11:03PM and inquired
as to why a “student pilot” is allowed to fly at night. Flight tracking revealed that it was a medical
Evac helicopter inbound for Mercy Gilbert Medical Center.
➢ Sixth complainant reported that “airplane noise is getting worse and worse” Contacted
complainant and informed him that most of the aircraft traffic (according to flight tracking) is
aircraft transiting the airspace from another airport. Also provided the “Fly Friendly”
expectations of airport tenants and visiting pilots. Complainant was provided with FAA-FSDO
and FAA Noise Complaint website address.
➢ Seventh complainant reported the “helicopter noise is unbearable.” Contacted complainant
who lives immediately adjacent to the Cooper Road Corridor that is used by the helicopter flight
school to prevent overflights of the neighborhoods as a self-imposed noise abatement
procedure.
➢ Eighth complainant reported increase in helicopter activity going over the residence and is
disruptive to working at home. Flight tracking data with revealed that the residence is also
immediately adjacent to Cooper Rd. Helicopters uses Cooper Rd. to transit the area between
the airport and the south desert. Flight tracking indicated all helicopters were at or above
regulatory altitudes.
Meeting Date:
April 12, 2023
➢ Nineth complainant is a group of approximately 31 individuals regarding very low-flying aircraft
in the early morning. The complaints commenced at about 2AM in the Sun Lakes area and
traversed south of the Airport and continued northeast bound into Gilbert. Some of the
complainants reported that the aircraft was so low that they thought it was going to crash.
Others consistently reported “it sounded like it was landing on my roof”. Flight tracking did not
indicate any aircraft transiting the area at the times reported, indicating potential military or
federal law enforcement aircraft. With the assistance of the Communications and Public Affairs
office at city hall, I was put in contact with a Gilbert resident that posted Ring doorbell video of
the aircraft on Facebook, which was shared with the airport. That video revealed three military
UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters flying in formation very low (approximately 200-300 feet AGL) and
very fast. With the directions of the complaint trail heading potentially northeast bound, the
Mesa-Gateway Airport confirmed that these military helicopters stopped for fuel early that
morning at approximately 2:35AM. These helicopters were identified as belonging to the U.S.
Navy and were apparently returning to Norfolk, Virginia. That week, there was a military
exercise being conducted in Marana, where unfortunately a Navy SEAL was reported to been
killed in a parachuting training accident. This incident was passed on to the FAA FSDO in
Scottsdale.
➢ Tenth and Eleventh complainants reported a marked increase in airplanes, especially on
Saturdays making it difficult to enjoy a nice day in the backyard after working all week. Flight
tracking revealed that this residence is directly under the established traffic pattern for the
south runway. All aircraft were at or above the regulatory altitudes. Flight tracking data also
revealed 556 operations by 2PM the day of the aircraft activity report.
➢ Twelfth complainant reported small planes (and helicopters it seems) have been flying lower
into and out of Chandler Municipal Airport recently, low enough to shake windows and
decorations at late hours in the night. This seems to have become more prevalent in the last
month or so. Flight tracking data revealed that all aircraft were at, or above regulatory altitudes
and that helicopter traffic was above 500 feet AGL. Incidentally, no helicopter traffic was
detected after 7PM for a period of one week prior to the complainant’s report in the vicinity of
the residence. Unable to contact the complainant by phone but sent a comprehensive email
with the flight tracking details and airport contact information.