Voluntary Noise Abatement Procedures
Per-airport voluntary procedures Colorado pilots can follow to reduce community noise impact and help keep general aviation airports open.
What this is: Voluntary Noise Abatement Procedures (VNAPs) are noise-reduction practices each airport (or local community) has published. They cover things like preferred runways, traffic-pattern altitudes, time-of-day restrictions on touch-and-goes, and departure-power management.
Why it matters: These procedures aren't federal regulations — they're trust-based agreements with the surrounding community. Every pilot who flies them reinforces the relationship that keeps our airports operating. Every pilot who ignores them gives ammunition to the people who want airports closed.
Procedures by Airport
Tap an airport card to view the official source document.
Centennial
KAPACentennial's full Noise Abatement Guide — preferred runways, time-of-day considerations, and the Quiet Flying Pledge.
Open Centennial Guide →Boulder
KBDUPDF guide covering preferred patterns, departure altitudes, and noise-sensitive zones around Boulder.
Open Boulder VNAP (PDF) →RMMA
KBJCJefferson County's Fly-Quiet Program — recommended preferred runways, departure procedures, and a public reporting tool.
Open RMMA Fly-Quiet Program →Air & Space Port
KCFOAirport is currently reviewing a new noise abatement policy. No formal procedure published yet.
No published documentErie
KEIKDetailed guidance: Runway 34 preferred, piston pattern 1000 AGL, turboprop/jet 1500 AGL, no touch-and-goes 8am–5pm.
Open Erie VNAP →Greeley
KGXYNo formal VNAP currently known. Contact airport operations directly for any local noise-sensitive areas before flying patterns.
No published documentLongmont
KLMOLongmont's published voluntary procedures, including preferred patterns and saturated-pattern guidance.
Open Longmont VNAP →Noise in the news 4
2026
Universal Etiquette (regardless of airport)
- Reduce power promptly after reaching a safe altitude on departure — usually around 1,000 feet AGL.
- Avoid prolonged circles or repeated low passes over residential areas.
- Maintain at least 1,000 feet AGL over populated areas; higher when practical.
- Limit pattern work and touch-and-goes during early-morning and late-evening hours when noise carries furthest.
- Use the lowest practical RPM in cruise; high-performance singles can reduce prop noise by 5–8 dB.
- Plan your departure and arrival routing to favor open land over neighborhoods whenever winds and traffic permit.
- When pattern volume is heavy, consider holding off and returning later rather than adding to the saturation.
