If you're visiting us chances are you're a concerned Dallasite living near Dallas Love Field and/or near the airport flight paths. We advocate for community representation and city accountability in all matters relating to aircraft noise caused by Love Field operations.
Currently, the Dallas Department of Aviation is undergoing a three-meeting process to update the Love Field Voluntary Noise Program. We feel that current circumstances relating to lack of enforcement, absence of current noise data, insufficient community engagement, and potential changes to the Federal regulatory environment in 2023 necessitate a much longer period of discussion and analysis.
What is the Dallas Love Field Voluntary Noise Program?
- Sanctioned by the FAA, and including elements enacted into law by Congress, the existing Voluntary Noise Program is an agreement between Dallas Love Field airlines and operators, the City of Dallas, and communities surrounding Dallas Love Field
- Covenants established by the program include a limit on the number of gates (20), clearly defined start- and stop times for scheduled flights, night-time runway usage, and community-friendly takeoff and landing procedures
Several concerns regarding the Department of Aviation’s community engagement process thus far include:
- A recent outside audit of the current Dallas Love Field Voluntary Noise Control Program finds the Department of Aviation lacking in controls and accountability for the success or failure of the existing program. The Dallas City Manager’s response to the audit is somewhat dismissive regarding those living in established neighborhoods surrounding Dallas Love Field
- The pandemic, as well as the removal of community sound monitoring equipment, have resulted in outdated and incomplete noise data for Dallas Love Field, a serious impairment to substantive analysis
- Congressional studies based on recent FAA research reflect a need to revise how airport noise is quantified, finding that noise annoyance occurs at much lower levels than current methods reflect. This is likely to be presented to Congress when the FAA is reauthorized in 2023 and may impact the regulatory framework of any new Love Field noise control program
To summarize, our position is:
- Any approach to a revised program should be crafted based on sufficient metrics, ample community engagement, and in the context of a Federal regulatory framework that is highly likely to change in 2023
- The burden of community engagement in this issue lies with the City of Dallas and the Department of Aviation, which should be represented on even terms with community stakeholders and other involved parties. San Diego, Chicago O’Hare, and Minneapolis-St. Paul have established independent noise control agencies at the departmental level for this purpose
Only after sufficient discourse and inclusion should an updated voluntary noise program be finalized. Please partner with us in a measured, rational process based on solid metrics and sufficient community engagement.