Aircraft Overflight Program

Aircraft Overflight: An air flight that passes over a specific area, country or territory.

Air Traffic Control (ATC): A federal government service operated by the Federal Aviation Administration that facilitates the safe and efficient movement of aircraft in the air and on the ground by receiving and processing data from radar and devices that monitor local weather conditions and by maintaining contact with pilots.

Altitude (AGL): Height above ground level

Altitude (MSL): Height above mean sea level

Ambient Noise: Also known as background noise. A composite of all noise sources in an area.

Area Navigation (RNAV): A method of navigation that allows aircraft to choose any course within a network of navigation beacons, rather than navigating to/from the beacons.

Arrival: The process of an aircraft landing at an airport, usually by a series of air traffic control procedures, and navigational aids.

Day-Night Sound Level (DNL, symbol Ldn): The day-night average sound level is the average noise level over a 24-hour period. The noise level measurements between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. are artificially increased by 10 dB before averaging. The FAA established the DNL as the primary metric for aircraft noise analysis and expressing aircraft noise exposure in the United States.

DBA (A-weighting, dBA): A-weighted decibel scale adjusts (weights) low frequency ranges to model the response perceived by the human ear. The A-weighting scale is commonly used in the measurement of aircraft and environmental noise.

Decibel (dB): A numerical expression of the relative loudness of a sound. The difference in decibels between two sounds is ten times the common logarithm of the ratio of their power levels.

Departure: The process of an aircraft leaving an airport usually by a Standard Instrument Departure Route (SID) or through ATC directives.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA): The agency of the United States Department of Transportation responsible for the regulation and oversight of civil aviation within the U.S., as well as operation and development of the National Airspace System. Its primary mission is to ensure safety of civil aviation and enforce the rules of air safety.

Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR): Federal Aviation Regulations are enacted by the Department of Transportation, under the statutory authority of the Federal Aviation Act and published in Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).

Glideslope (GS): Vertical guidance provided by a radio beacon as the proper path (angle) for an aircraft approaching a landing strip.

Instrument Approach: Series of predetermined maneuvers for the orderly transfer of an aircraft under instrument flight conditions from the beginning of the initial approach to a landing, or to a point from which a landing may be made visually or the missed approach procedure is initiated.

Instrument Flight Rules (IFR): Instrument flight rules govern flight procedures during limited visibility or other operational constraints. Under IFR, pilots fly under the guidance of radar.

Instrument Landing System (ILS): An electronic system installed to guide aircraft to runways during adverse weather conditions or when visibility is limited.

Land Use Compatibility: Land uses identified in FAR Part 150 as normally compatible with the outdoor noise environment adjacent to an airport within a specific noise contour level (or an adequately attenuated noise level reduction for any indoor activities involved).

Localizer (LOC): A component of the ILS that provides runway centerline guidance (lateral) to aircraft, but not the glideslope information (vertical).

Loudness: Subjective assessment of the intensity of sound.

National Airspace System (NAS): The common network of U.S. airspace, air navigation facilities, equipment, services, airports or landing areas; aeronautical charts, information and services, rules, regulations and procedures; technical information, manpower and materials, all of which are used in air navigation.

Noise: Any unwanted sound that is considered annoying or undesirable that interferes with speech or hearing.

Noise Abatement: A procedure or action that minimizes noise exposure.

Noise Contour: A noise contour is a line on a map representing equal noise exposure, typically for an annual average.

Noise Event: Measured sound for a particular period of time. An aircraft noise event is recorded when the sound level exceeds a threshold for a specified period of time.

Noise Level: For airborne sound, unless specified to the contrary, it is the A-weighted sound level.

Part 150 Noise Study: Sets forth the methodology and procedures to be followed when preparing aircraft noise exposure maps and developing airport/airport environs land use compatibility programs.

Preferential Runway Use: Aircraft using specified runways for arrivals and departures during certain hours to avoid residential and other noise-sensitive areas. Airports sometimes use this for overflight mitigation or noise abatement initiatives.

Required Navigation Performance (RNP): A type of performance-based navigation that allows an aircraft to fly a specific path between defined points in space. A RNP requires that aircraft are equipped for navigation performance monitoring and alerting.

Sequencing: An Air Traffic Control procedure used to merge air traffic into a single flow while maintaining specific time and distance separations.

Sound: Sound is the result of energy (vibration waves) traveling through a medium to a receptor. The vibration spreads spherically away from the source.

Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON): An FAA ATC facility that communicates and issues navigational instructions to aircraft approaching and departing the specific airspace of one or more airports. The TRACON typically assumes control of departing aircraft shortly after leaving an airport and approaching aircraft between 5 and 50 miles of the airport.

Turbo-jet: An aircraft powered by one or more jet turbine (turbofan) engines.

Turbo-prop: An aircraft powered by one or more propeller engines. This aircraft type is commonly used when flying shorter distances.

Vector: Compass heading used to provide navigational guidance by radar.

Visual Approach: A visual approach is an ATC authorization for an aircraft on an IFR flight plan to proceed visually and clear of clouds to the airport of intended landing.

Visual Flight Rules (VFR): Air traffic rules allowing pilots to land by sight without relying solely on instruments. VFR conditions require good weather and good visibility.

WebTrak is a Brüel & Kjær web-based flight tracking system that provides near real-time and historical aircraft flight track information within the immediate area of both Southwest Florida International Airport and Page Field. The source used to provide the flight tracks and other aircraft information, including the aircraft’s type, altitude, origin/destination airports and flight identification, is from the Federal Aviation Administration. This system allows residents to view aircraft at a specific date and time that created an overflight concern.

WebTrak also provides the ability for individuals to file overflight comments about specific aircraft. To file a comment, click on the aircraft of concern and then click the “Show Overflight Comment Form” on the bottom left of the pop up box. You will be required to fill in some mandatory information and then a form will be submitted to Lee County Port Authority staff to review and respond back, if requested.

Liability Statement: This web page and the flight tracking information is a public resource of general information. The use of this site is for illustrative purposes only. The Lee County Port Authority makes no warranty, representation of guarantee as to the content, sequence, accuracy, timeliness or completeness of any of the database information provided herein. The user of this site should not rely on the data provided herein for any reason. The Lee County Port Authority explicitly disclaims any warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. The Lee County Port Authority shall assume no liability for any errors, omissions or inaccuracies in the information provided regardless of how caused; or any decision made or action taken or not taken by the user of this site in reliance upon any information or data furnished hereunder.

• LAUNCH WEBTRAK FLIGHT TRACKING

The aircraft overflight program at Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) has continually evolved throughout its history. During the 2013 Noise Study, a series of operational noise measures aimed at reducing overflights were evaluated, which were then incorporated into a Noise Compatibility Program for RSW. These measures were suggested by the Lee County Port Authority (LCPA), local Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Traffic Control and public during three series of public workshops held during the 2013 Noise Study. While the FAA disapproved all of the operational measures to be enforced on a mandatory basis, there has been significant progress in the local FAA Air Traffic Control implementing these measures voluntarily to reduce annoyance caused with aircraft overflights for the communities surrounding RSW. Some of the voluntary operational measures include:

• Visual Optimized Profile Descent (OPD) to Runway 06 – This measure promotes use of an RNAV Visual OPD procedure that directs aircraft arrivals over unpopulated areas between the mainland and Estero Island (Fort Myers Beach).
• Publish Charted Visual Approach to Runway 06 from the North and South – This measure involves the FAA publishing a procedure that identifies visual landmarks to assist pilots flying under visual flight rules to avoid flying over non-compatible land uses. Using this procedure to mirror or overlay the new RNAV Visual OPD approach will improve sequencing and allow the ATCT to use the RNAV Visual OPD procedure more consistently.
• Keep Aircraft at 3,000 ft. Over Fort Myers Beach – It is the intent of this measure to implement mechanisms to delay the descent of arriving aircraft and maintain an altitude of up to 3,000 ft. until after they overfly Fort Myers Beach. A new ILS procedure was published on May 2, 2013, that increases the glide slope intercept altitude from 1,600 ft. to 3,000 ft. MSL just west of Fort Myers Beach. This places aircraft descending on the ILS glide slope to Runway 6 at between 2,700 and 2,800 ft. MSL as they cross Fort Myers Beach.
• Change Runway 24 to Preferred Runway From 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. – This measure involves the use of Runway 24 as the preferred runway during nighttime hours (10 p.m. to 6 a.m.), wind/weather permitting. In exploring opportunities to address late night and early morning aircraft operations occurring at RSW, it was determined that a potential change in the voluntary preferential runway after 10 p.m. could reduce nighttime annoyance.
• Increase Altitude of Early Morning Arrivals – This measure involves working with the FAA to help ensure early morning overflights remain above 3,000 ft. as they pass over Fort Myers Beach.
• Modify CSHEL FOUR Departure Procedure – This measure involves modification of the CSHEL FOUR departure procedure to reduce overflights of densely populated areas. The CSHEL FOUR Departure Procedure off of Runway 24 directs departing aircraft through the Alico industrial corridor. The FAA is currently providing verbal guidance directing aircraft reaching MAPUL and 3,000 ft. MSL to turn direct to CSHEL, but a published procedure is not currently in development.

These recommendations are subject to the discretion of local FAA Air Traffic Control and the pilot in command, however, LCPA will continue to encourage adherence to our voluntary noise compatibility program operational measures without compromise to safety.

Lee County Port Authority
The Lee County Port Authority (LCPA) is responsible for the overall operation of Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) and Page Field (FMY). This includes serving as the landlord of its airports, holding leases with airlines, concessionaires and airport-related tenants. While LCPA may regulate airport operational activities, such as engine maintenance run-ups, they do not have authority to control aircraft movement, alter flight patterns and change airspace procedures. LCPA advocates aircraft overflight mitigation practices to reduce flights over areas of concern, but actions of the sort require approval and implementation by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Federal Aviation Administration
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the agency of the United States Department of Transportation responsible for the regulation and oversight of civil aviation within the U.S., as well as operation and development of the National Airspace System. Its primary mission is to ensure safety of civil aviation and enforce the rules of air safety.

• FAA Home Page
• FAA Southern Region Office of Airports

FAA Air Traffic Control
FAA Air Traffic Control is a division of the FAA primarily responsible for the movement of aircraft both within the airport movement area (taxiways, runways) and in the air. Air transportation affects interstate commerce; therefore, it falls under the regulatory responsibility of the federal government. Runway assignments, headings, altitudes and other directions to pilots are assigned only by FAA Air Traffic Control. FAA Air Traffic Control also has the authority to implement/assign LCPA’s voluntary operational measures for overflight mitigation whenever the possibility exists. The safety of the people in the air and on the ground is always the number one consideration for FAA Air Traffic Control, and the safe operation of aircraft in the national airspace system will always supersede voluntary operational measures for overflight mitigation.

Residents and Prospective Residents
The residents in communities surrounding LCPA airports should seek to understand aircraft operations and strive to be aware of what initiatives can and cannot be taken to minimize the impact of aircraft overflights. Individual and community responses to aircraft overflights differ substantially and, for some individuals, a reduced level of noise may not eliminate the annoyance or irritation. Prospective residents should always investigate the location of LCPA airports and the corresponding aircraft flight patterns/tracks to determine the potential effect on their individual quality of life and make decisions accordingly.

Pilots
Pilots have the ultimate responsibility for the safe operation of the aircraft. Although each airline can adopt voluntary mitigation procedures and recommended best practices, pilots still retain the operational authority and discretion to make final decisions regarding the safe operation of the aircraft. It is up to the pilot to follow FAA Air Traffic Control directives, which may include assignments to adhere to voluntary operational measures for overflight mitigation. However, in the interest of safety, pilots may deviate from such procedures when necessary. Courteous and responsible pilots make the difference by avoiding unnecessary residential overflights and by flying as quietly as safety permits.

Contact Us

The Lee County Port Authority (LCPA) Aircraft Overflight Program can provide knowledge on air traffic trends and help answer aircraft overflight related questions. By visiting our Submitting Aircraft Overflight Comments/Inquiries webpage, LCPA can help you learn about airport characteristics, flight patterns, peak travel months and potential impact areas from aircraft operations.

Assess the Site

LCPA encourages prospective home buyers and real estate agents to visit properties at several different times of the day and during various seasons to determine the property’s exposure to airport/aircraft related noise. Peak travel season for operations at Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) typically occurs during the winter months, with March usually having the most airport traffic. Even though a particular property in question is not located near/underneath a published flight pattern or within a noise zone, this does not mean the property would never experience overflights or aircraft-related noise. The tracks aircraft follow are fluid and adaptable based on many conditions, including but not limited to, wind/weather conditions, local air traffic conditions (surrounding airport traffic), airspace capacity, safety, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) directives and aircraft separation requirements, so deviations from normal operations can occur.

Monitor Flight Patterns

LCPA offers a publicly available, near-real time flight tracking system by Brüel & Kjær called WebTrak. This system can be used to gain insight on the flight tracks and characteristics around RSW and Page Field (FMY). By adding your address into the system, it will compare flight activity to the location of your home and provide information such as distance, direction, altitude, type of aircraft, etc. Access WebTrak by clicking the following link: webtrak.emsbk.com/rsw

Beware of False Information

One of the most common misconceptions people have is that LCPA has agreed to avoid overflying specific communities, establish no-fly zones or restrict specific overflight operations after a certain time. This is inaccurate. It is very important to understand that the FAA has sovereign rights over the airspace and where aircraft fly. Prospective home buyers and real estate agents should carefully review any information provided by others and be sure to contact LCPA with any questions. Though some areas will receive more overflights than others, all residents in Lee County have the potential to receive aircraft overflights.