Three major routes into SFO intersect over Palo Alto. The FAA implemented NextGen, changed flight procedures, and moved vast quantities of jet traffic over Palo Alto. Traffic has been increasing at alarming and concentrated levels. Community outcry and congressional efforts resulted in FAA engagement via the Select Committee of South Bay Arrivals.

To ensure these efforts result in relief, join us. Contact: info@skypossepaloalto.org

full-size map and advocacy information.

Nextgen Concentration of traffic over MidPeninsula

The number of flights over Palo Alto and neighboring cities has more than doubled because of a Nextgen design decision (without considering resident input) to funnel the majority of SFO arrivals through a single merge point . The proportion of flights near the bottom of the 4000-5000 foot altitude window has increased breaching a community agreement made in the year 2000 to maintain traffic above 5000 feet.

For more information about Nextgen see www.quietskiesmidpeninsula.org

Flights from the north, south and west converge over the MidPeninsula. They aim for an altitude of 4000 feet over Palo Alto and East Palo Alto and from there, take the final approach into SFO. James Sun analyzed traffic growth between 3K and 5K feet based on flight tracks received from the FAA. His analysis shows the number of flights from the south and southeast has grown substantially.

The charts below are based on flight tracks received in their entirety via a FAA Freedom of Information Act request.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Airbus 320 whine/howl/keening petition

Certain jets flying over us emit a high-pitched whining noise that is particularly offensive to the human ear. They account for 17%-20% of the noisiest SF Peninsula over flights. Luckily, there is an inexpensive solution to this huge noise issue. Sign the petition to ask the airlines to spend less than $5000 per jet to retrofit their fleets with simple air flow deflectors that STOP the horrible loud “whistling” sound affecting millions on the peninsula

Select Committee On South Bay Arrivals

On December 2, Representatives Eshoo, Farr and Speier sent to a letter to the FAA Administrator along with reports from the Select Committee on South Bay Arrivals and the SFO Airport/Community Roundtable. The three representatives: accepted the Select Committee’s and Roundtable’s recommendations; requested the FAA move towards implementation “as soon as possible; requested the FAA provide a progress update within 60 days.

The letter also cites the Committee’s recommendation that a successor organization be formed to be made up of local elected officials from the members’ three Congressional Districts. The Representatives state that they “will work with [their] incoming colleagues in the next Congress to determine how best to move forward with that recommendation.” Palo Alto – which experiences the highest number of overflights and is most impacted by SFO arrivals – should have a seat at the table.

_________________________________________________________________________

SKY POSSE PALO ALTO provides the information on this website “as is” and does not assume any liability for any errors or omissions, or for any misleading use of that information.

Home

Complain! Get Involved! Sign Petition!

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

San Francisco bay area major jet arrival and departure routes

To ensure these efforts result in relief, join us. Contact: info@skypossepaloalto.org

Nextgen Concentration of traffic over MidPeninsula

Airbus 320 whine/howl/keening petition

Select Committee On South Bay Arrivals