Noise & Safety
Understanding Aircraft Noise & Impact
Montgomery County Airpark operates within one of the most densely settled general aviation corridors on the East Coast. Aircraft operations are governed by FAA regulations and established safety procedures, but regulations set a floor, not a ceiling. The airpark actively works beyond compliance, encouraging pilots to adopt practices that reduce noise impacts on the surrounding community.
Aircraft noise measurement, pilot guidelines, flight data resources, and community reporting tools are all part of how the airpark maintains transparency with nearby residents, local officials, and the pilots who fly here. Whether you are looking for independent data, operational context, or a way to share feedback, that information is available and accessible to everyone.
MCRA Privacy Notice – Noise Complaint Form
The Montgomery County Revenue Authority (MCRA), a public instrumentality of Montgomery County, collects limited personal information to review, verify, and respond to noise‑related concerns submitted by residents.
What We Collect
- Your name
- Your residential address
- Contact information
- Details about the noise event
- We only collect the minimum amount of personal information necessary to accomplish our legitimate government purpose of investigating and responding to aviation noise and maintaining accurate complaint records.
Why We Collect It
Your address helps us:
- Confirm that a complaint is from a County resident,
- Understand where noise impacts occur,
- Ensure accurate tracking, follow‑up, and reporting,
- Improve operational decisions and community engagement.
How We Use and Share Your Information
- Your information is used only for reviewing and managing noise complaints.
- We do not sell personal information or transfer it for commercial purposes.
- We do not disclose your address publicly unless required by law.
How Long We Keep Your Information
We retain personal information only as long as reasonably necessary to fulfill the complaint‑handling purpose, after which it is securely deleted or de‑identified consistent with State retention schedules and privacy requirements.
Your Rights
Upon request, you may:
- Ask what personal information we have collected,
- Request corrections,
- Request details about how your information is used or shared.
- You will be informed if any information you provide is publicly accessible or shared with entities outside MCRA.
Privacy Officer
MCRA has designated a Privacy Officer responsible for overseeing compliance with Maryland’s data privacy requirements.
You may contact the Privacy Officer (Gayle Dominick) at: gdominick@mcra-md.com
Aircraft Noise and Airport Operations
All aircraft must comply with FAA regulations covering airspace use, traffic patterns, and altitudes. Within those rules, pilots are encouraged to climb promptly after takeoff, follow noise-abatement headings, and avoid prolonged low-altitude maneuvering over residential areas.
In the spirit of transparency, we make our flight data openly available so neighbors can see the activity at the Airpark — traffic patterns, runway usage, and the types of aircraft operating here. If something you see or hear raises a question, we want to know.
How Noise is Measured
Aircraft noise is measured using the Day-Night Average Sound Level (DNL), which accounts for both the loudness of individual events and how often they occur. The FAA considers a DNL of 65 dB or above significant for land-use compatibility.
These levels are plotted on noise contour maps. The Airpark’s Part 150 Noise Study, prepared under the FAA’s federal noise-compatibility program, maps noise exposure across the surrounding community and the measures in place to address it.