Environment, Noise & Community Relations

New Noise Complaints Process Brochure
A new brochure is available from the Environmental and Community Relations Office.  How Complaints Regarding Aircraft Operations are Handled was created to explain the noise complaint process and give some insight into the Contra Costa County Noise Ordinances and Federal Aviation Regulations.  The brochure covers a wide variety of information, such as:

• What hours can aircraft fly into and out of Buchanan Field and Byron Airports?
  
• How low can aircraft fly?
  
• Are any aircraft exempt from the County Noise Ordinance?
  

Storm Water Runoff
The Environmental and Community Relations Office is on track with this year's Storm Water Pollution Prevention Observations.  Please remember to use the designated wash racks on the East and West Ramps when washing your aircraft.  Water runoff from places other than the wash racks ends up in the storm drains and is carried out to the bay through a series of channels and creeks.  If everyone uses the wash racks, the storm water will remain clean and clear.  If everyone does his or her part, this will never become a problem.
Do you have a Community Group that would be interested in having Airport staff come and speak at one of your meetings?  If so call (925) 646-5722.

Pilots, thank you for Flying Buchanan Field and Byron Airports

Airport Tour Program is Soaring

Since initiating the new, streamlined Airport Tour Program in December 2002, Airport tours have become very popular.  Since December, more than 250 children and adults have visited Buchanan Field Airport, and the good word is spreading. 
A typical tour begins with a short Airport safety briefing.  Next the group visits with the California Shock/Trauma Air Rescue unit (CALSTAR).  The Flight Nurses and Pilots are always eager to share details about their very important job, flying injured people in their helicopter.

The next stop is usually Sterling Aviation where visitors learn about how an airplane flies.  Some groups have been able to climb into a small, single-engine airplane to see what it feels like to handle the controls. 
The tour's final stop is the ARFF (Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting) truck.  Airport Operations Specialists explain what they do and how they are able to keep everyone safe at the Airport (Plus the kids love when they spray water from the truck's turrets).  Tours take about an hour dependent upon the group size. 

Byron Master Plan

The Byron Master Plan process has begun with the selection of the consulting firm Leigh Fisher Associates.  The first phase of the project will consist of an initial air cargo feasibility study.  The project tasks include initial data collection, feasibility of potential roles for Byron Airport, significant public out

reach and project management.  During the first 120 days, the consultant will focus on defining the various potential roles of the Byron Airport, air cargo, general aviation, industrial park, etc.  The final decision could include various combinations of the possible roles.

Can Byron handle cargo operations?  We may soon know.