Noise Management Measures

Below is information regarding all the measures Oakland International Airport has in place to reduce the impact of aircraft noise.  Links will either take you down this current page or to a .pdf document.

Airport Wide Measures

Aircraft Engine Run-Up Program (Overview)

Aircraft Engine Run-Up Procedure Program

Ground Run-Up Enclosure (GRE)

Aircraft Noise Reports

North Field – General Aviation

Runway Signage For Noise Abatement

North Field VFR Aircraft Departure Procedure

North Field Quiet Hours Noise Level Report

North Field Jet Landing Procedure on Runway 09

North Field Jet Departure Procedure on Runway 27

North Field Quiet Hours Departure Procedure

South Field – Commercial Airlines and Air Cargo

Rolling Takeoff Procedure

Runway 11 Night Departure Procedure

Runway 29 Right Turn Procedure

Silent Seven Departure Procedure

Aircraft Engine Run-Up Program

The airport's aircraft engine maintenance run-up policy has been in place since the 1970s to facilitate the loud engine run-ups that are necessary for aircraft maintenance.  The current engine run-up policy establishes requirements for run-ups and the use of the ground run-up enclosure or the GRE.  The full policy and a more general version of the policy can be seen here.  (General Policy) (Complete Technical Policy)

Ground Run-Up Enclosure (GRE)

In 2002, Oakland International Airport opened the airport’s “hush house” — the first in California, which reduces noise from engine maintenance by approximately 17 decibels.  Formally known as a ground run-up enclosure, the hush house began operation in July 2002. The thee-sided structure, located near the center of the airfield, encloses a 325-by-264 feet rectangular area and is large enough to accommodate Boeing 747 aircraft. It is made of sloping zinc-coated steel "Noiseblotter" panels, creating walls that range from 19 to 40 feet in height.

The $4.2 million facility is used for testing engines, which must be operated at full power, after routine maintenance or repairs. Not only does the "hush house" reduce engine noise, but it also allows airlines to test engines in a wider range of wind conditions than is possible on an open field.  Oakland is the fourth airport in the nation to build a hush house. Other installations are in Chicago, Portland and Indianapolis. All have been built by Blast Deflectors, Inc. of Watsonville.

"The primary purpose for constructing the hush house is to accommodate our neighbors, who have been concerned about noise from engine tests needed for safe operation of aircraft," said Steven Grossman, director of aviation for the Port of Oakland. "It was discussed with the Airport Community Noise Management Forum, and there was a consensus that it will benefit nearby residents, as well as the airlines."  The hush house is being paid for from the passenger facility fees levied on all tickets.  The full Run-Up policy can be viewed here.

Runway Signage for Noise Abatement

Runway signs have been installed on North Field runways to remind pilots of the airport's noise abatement departure procedures. 

Aircraft Noise Reports