General Aviation

GA Noise Abatement

John Wayne Airport (SNA) is one of the busiest and most noise sensitive airports in the United States. The Airport is located in the center of Orange County, California with residential areas in close proximity. To mitigate potential noise impacts from aircraft operations and to enhance compatibility with surrounding communities, the Airport maintains some of the most stringent noise rules in the United States. The General Aviation Noise Ordinance (GANO) has been adopted by the County of Orange to regulate the hours of operation and the maximum permitted noise levels associated with general aviation operations.

This information has been prepared to introduce you to the GANO and to encourage the operation of your aircraft in the quietest manner possible consistent with safety. (Download the GA Noise Abatement Brochure) The Airport recognizes that pilot sensitivity is a key component of a successful noise abatement program, and your continued cooperation is greatly appreciated.

Disclaimer

Compliance with the GANO is mandatory unless deviations are made necessary by ATC instructions, a medical or in-flight emergency, or other safety considerations.

Noise Limits

The Airport maintains ten permanent noise monitoring stations (NMS) located to the north and south of the Airport (see map on reverse side). The GANO specifies noise limits at each NMS that vary by time of day.

Description of Sanctions

Notice of Violation

In the event an aircraft exceeds the GANO noise limits at one or more locations, a “Notice of Violation” will be issued to the registered owner of the aircraft. The Notice of Violation applies to the aircraft owner, the aircraft operator, and the aircraft. Notices of Violation remain in effect for three years after the violation date.

Denial of Use of John Wayne Airport

If three GANO violations occur within a three-year period, the aircraft owner, the aircraft operator and the aircraft are subject to denial of use of the Airport for a period of three years.

Proximity to the Community

The Airport is located just north of Newport Beach, west of Irvine, east of Costa Mesa, and south of Tustin and Santa Ana. Residential areas are located close to the Airport and the County of Orange is committed to minimizing noise in these neighborhoods. See map of residential areas on reverse side.

More Information

Warning:

Based on available historical noise data gathered by the Access and Noise Office and as determined by the Airport Director, the following list of aircraft are presumed incapable of meeting noise limitations defined in the GANO and are not permitted to land, tie down, take off or be based at the Airport, except in an emergency (this list is periodically updated and is maintained by the Access and Noise Office, 949.252.5185):

Aircraft Presumptively Incapable of Nighttime Departure Operations:

HS125-1A-600 (Rolls Royce Viper engines)
Learjet 23, 24, 25, 28, 29
Gulfstream II, IIB, III
Jetstar II
Shooting Star T33/F80
Sabreliner 40, 60, 65, 70, 75

Aircraft Presumptively Incapable of Nighttime Arrival Operations:

HS125-1A-600 (Rolls Royce Viper engines)
Gulfstream II, IIB, III
Sabreliner 40, 60, 65, 70, 75
Shooting Star T33/F80

Aircraft Presumptively Incapable of Any Operations at Any Time:

BAC 111
Jet Commander
Paris Jet
Westwind 1123

As described in the GANO, any owner or operator of the above listed aircraft will have the opportunity to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Airport Director that such aircraft can operate within acceptable noise levels.

FBO general aviation aprons are limited to aircraft with maximum certificated gross takeoff weight of 100,000 lbs. (dual gear) and with wingspans less than 100 feet. General aviation aircraft are prohibited from using any portion of the air carrier commercial ramp.

Note that manufacturers have developed noise abatement procedures for the Gulfstream II, IIB, III and IV and Learjet 23, 24, 25, 28 and 29 aircraft. View special procedures

Download Emergency Medical Flight Form

Recommended Procedures

Safety permitting, pilots are encouraged to follow the aircraft manufacturer’s recommended noise abatement procedures on all arrivals and departures.

DEPARTURES:

• Runway 19R/L are the preferred runways.
• Avoid high power setting at low altitude over noise sensitive areas (see map).

ARRIVALS:

• Pilots are encouraged to use minimum certificated landing flap setting in accordance with FAR 91.126c.
• ATC/weather permitting, pilots are requested to make a visual straight-in approach.

Noise Monitoring Locations, Sensitive Land Uses and Radar Track Maps

The NMS map shows the Noise Monitoring Stations (NMS) and residential areas on an aerial photograph. The flight track maps show radar data plotted on a street map. These flight tracks show the preferred range of flight tracks into and out of the Airport. Your cooperation in minimizing noise in these areas by adhering to the preferred flight tracks and complying with the mandatory noise limits is greatly appreciated.