Commercial aircraft facilities such as the Phoenix‐Mesa Gateway Airport, located in the
City of Mesa to north of Pinal County also generate aircraft flights in Pinal County. Five
primary airlines operate out of the airport flying to over 40 locations across the country,
increasing its annual flight activities for the past several years. There are several other
public and private airports in Pinal County with varying levels of aircraft operations.
In the past the AZARNG has received noise complaints regarding aircraft operations not
associated with their missions. In many cases complainants may mistake other aircraft or
aircraft noise for AZARNG aircraft operations and lodge complaints based on that
misunderstanding. In other cases, noise complaints may not include enough information
to be able to positively identify the responsible organization and ensure the complaint is
properly directed for resolution. In some cases, these misdirected noise complaints may
be the result of lack of knowledge on the part of the individual as to how to proceed with
noise complaints and / or a clear process to ensure noise complaints are directed to the
proper authority.
The FAA operates an Aviation Noise Ombudsmen Office to assist with noise complaints
that can be accessed via the website https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/
headquarters_offices/apl/noise_emissions/airport_aircraft_noise_issues/noise/#man;
however, the FAA does not regulate military flight operations and recommends
contacting the nearest military facility for assistance. This approach can create concerns
for the AZARNG unless there is information / process to help direct a complainant to the
proper agency or military service responsible for the aircraft noise.
Issue:
NOI‐3
AZARNG Site:
Florence
Military
Reservation
Noise is generated at Florence Military
Reservation.
Noise generated by activities at Florence Military
Reservation, such as weapons firing and
explosives detonations, can be heard outside the
installation, but is not a routine concern for
current nearby communities. If additional
development occurs closer to Florence Military
Reservation, noise impacts may become a bigger
concern. Complaints are more likely to occur if
future residential and/or other noise‐sensitive
developments occur.
Compatibility Assessment
Military installations are finding over time that the land use around their installation
boundaries is becoming incompatible with the noise generated by their training and
operational activities. Three primary factors are behind this trend:
Background Report
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