Airport Noise Improvement Project
Background and Project Overview
Vance Brand Airport understands that aircraft operations can affect nearby neighborhoods. The City of Longmont takes that seriously and for decades, has listened to residents, assessed impacts, and continued to seek solutions that allow for safe airport operations while minimizing community impacts.
This commitment led to the creation of the Vance Brand Airport Voluntary Noise Abatement Program (VNAP), a set of voluntary procedures designed to reduce noise where possible, while operating within regulatory constraints and maintaining safe aviation operations. The program continues to evolve through community input, operational data, industry best practices, and support from the tenants and airport users.
Because aviation safety and federal regulations limit what can be required, VNAP is voluntary. It depends on the cooperation of pilots, flight schools, and airport tenants who commit to following these procedures. Pilots may need to deviate from the recommended procedures to avoid other aircraft and for other safety reasons.
While much effort has been made to reduce noise, we realize there are opportunities for improvement. The City has initiated a project that will involve those who use the airport and those who live and work in the surrounding neighborhoods to gain a better understanding of the local impacts and identify feasible solutions to reduce them.
This project is not a one-time effort. It’s the next step of an ongoing commitment to balance the role of the airport with the quality of life of the surrounding community. Vance Brand Airport remains dedicated to this collaborative approach – working toward a future where aviation and community thrive together.
Find more information about the existing Voluntary Noise Abatement Program (VNAP).
Project Goals
This project will evaluate practical opportunities to reduce aircraft noise impacts while considering the City’s legal and regulatory authority. Because aircraft noise is highly regulated at the federal level, the City and airport have limited authority to impose restrictions on airport access whether operational (i.e., curfews or restrictions on activities such as touch-and-goes) or financial (user fees aimed at addressing aircraft noise issues).
This project will take a comprehensive look at current conditions, including aircraft operations, flight patterns, and noise exposure, alongside community concerns and the existing VNAP.
This effort will include participation and input from both community and aviation stakeholders as we identify impacts, concerns, and priorities. A clear set of milestones and timelines will guide the work and keep the community informed as the project progresses.
Opportunities for Stakeholder Engagement
This effort is built on collaboration and transparency. Community members can communicate with project managers and City staff by emailing their questions and feedback to VanceBrandFeedback@airportmonitoring.info. A community survey and a public workshop are coming soon, offering additional opportunities for residents and airport users to engage directly in the project. Please check back to this webpage for updates.
More Information
View this webpage for a comprehensive list of frequently asked questions (FAQs).
