This Is What Success Sounds Like

Most pilots never consider the challenges airport operators face on a daily basis. And, while some airports take a defensive posture, Christopher Rozansky, Executive Director of the Naples Airport Authority, says that he and his team take a hands-on, cooperative approach.

“We work hard to engage our community and innovate with solutions to today’s issues,” he explains. “We handled over 122,000 operations last year with nearly half of those being jets, making Naples a very busy general aviation airport. Most activity is condensed during the five-month winter tourist season, the same time residents want to be outdoors enjoying this beautiful place. While our priority is to operate a safe airport, we do want to create a great experience for our neighbors and recognize the negative impact of noise.”

Rozansky explains that his team recently invested three-and-a-half years updating the airport’s Part 150 noise study. While much of what they found was predictable, one of their proposed solutions was anything but.

“We engaged a lot with the public on the issue,” Rozansky says. “Our current 60 DNL [day/night average noise level] didn’t change much from when it was last updated despite the increased popularity of private air travel, but we recognize noise concerns go beyond that. We’re working with an independent flight procedures design firm to develop a series of innovative solutions.”

In short, the cornerstone solution would enable jets departing Naples to climb higher faster by clearing departures well above the current 2,000-foot hold. It’s only a proposal now, but if the FAA approves it, it will help reduce the airport’s noise signature and improve flight operations.

Fly like a good neighbor

While the new flight procedure is a while off, Rozansky says he’s encouraged by the willingness of many of the airport’s users to limit their operations during especially noise-sensitive times.

“We have a voluntary nighttime curfew from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., and many of our frequent operators, including NetJets, Planesense, and Fly Exclusive, have been proactive in asking their customers to abide by the plan,” he continues. “Thanks to their efforts, our curfew violations and complaints have decreased by half in one year. We really appreciate their voluntary partnership for the benefit of our community.”