BOTHERED BY THE PLANES OVERHEAD?
A quick guide for those affected by low-flying planes, ultralights, and air traffic congestion in Longmont.
Since January 2024, there has been an increase in flights caused by the influx of non-local flight schools using Vance Brand Airport (LMO) at zero cost to do their repeat ‘touch and go’ operations (where planes repeatedly fly low in the pattern) often before 6am to after 10pm.
If you have been impacted by the increased noise, nuisance, and lead pollution, here’s what you can do.
Since January 2024, there has been an increase in flights caused by the influx of non-local flight schools using Vance Brand Airport (LMO) at zero cost to do their repeat ‘touch and go’ operations (where planes repeatedly fly low in the pattern) often before 6am to after 10pm.
If you have been impacted by the increased noise, nuisance, and lead pollution, here’s what you can do.
Get up to Speed on the Airport BudgetWatch the CC meeting from June 3rd. The Airport Manager starts his presentation at 3:48, and Harold Dominquez, the City Manager, talks about the deficit at 4:13:14.
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Comment on the TC line at the Times Call
Send a note to City Council and Staff
Send an email to the Mayor and Council, with a copy to the City Manager, voicing your concerns (including concerns that complaints to the airport director are useless, if that’s been your experience) and ask them to take actions as suggested below.
City Council & Mayor -- [email protected]
City Manager Harold Dominguez -- [email protected]
The landing fees under consideration should be tied only to addressing the financial shortfalls at the airport. You should, however, demand that violations of the Voluntary Noise Abatement Policy (VNAP) be communicated in writing by the City Manager and the Airport Director to the flight schools causing the crushing noise and public safety problems over homes. The public should have those communications available on the airport website. The City must act in the public interest, and not just listen to the complaints.
City Council & Mayor -- [email protected]
City Manager Harold Dominguez -- [email protected]
The landing fees under consideration should be tied only to addressing the financial shortfalls at the airport. You should, however, demand that violations of the Voluntary Noise Abatement Policy (VNAP) be communicated in writing by the City Manager and the Airport Director to the flight schools causing the crushing noise and public safety problems over homes. The public should have those communications available on the airport website. The City must act in the public interest, and not just listen to the complaints.
For Noise Complaints, Use ADS-B Exchange to Identify Planes
ADS-B Exchange allows you to see all of the planes in the sky in real time. This is where you can see the altitude and N-Number of the plane. The ADS-B Exchange for Vance Brand Airport is: https://globe.adsbexchange.com/?lat=40.178&lon=-105.262&zoom=12.3
Submitting Noise or Low-flying or Reckless Flying Complaints
When submitting noise complaints to Vance Brand Airport or to the FAA, you’ll need to include the N-Number of the planes that are low or loud or flying recklessly as well as time and date.
To submit a complaint to the Airport: https://longmontcityxm.gov1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1Fxg0WKjKOEc1iC
To submit a noise complaint to the FAA:
Aviation Noise Ombudsman (Washington, DC): 202-493-5047
Submitting Noise or Low-flying or Reckless Flying Complaints
When submitting noise complaints to Vance Brand Airport or to the FAA, you’ll need to include the N-Number of the planes that are low or loud or flying recklessly as well as time and date.
To submit a complaint to the Airport: https://longmontcityxm.gov1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1Fxg0WKjKOEc1iC
To submit a noise complaint to the FAA:
Aviation Noise Ombudsman (Washington, DC): 202-493-5047
Report Low-flying or Reckless Flying Planes to FSDO
To file a complaint to the FSDO (FAA), you can email [email protected]
IMPORTANT: File a complaint for egregiously low flights (at least 300' below 500 or 1000 AGL) or other observed unsafe behavior. Do not submit any ADS-B screenshots. Say that you observed a low aircraft, give a general area, date, and time, and tail number. (You can find the tail number on an ADSB exchange app or the website.) In your email, ask for confirmation of receipt of the complaint. You will likely have to follow up.
IMPORTANT: File a complaint for egregiously low flights (at least 300' below 500 or 1000 AGL) or other observed unsafe behavior. Do not submit any ADS-B screenshots. Say that you observed a low aircraft, give a general area, date, and time, and tail number. (You can find the tail number on an ADSB exchange app or the website.) In your email, ask for confirmation of receipt of the complaint. You will likely have to follow up.
Flight Activity Data for Longmont
Ever wondered how many operations are happening at RMMA or Longmont, and what types of aircraft are flying? These public dashboards give you a clearer view into flight operations, aircraft trends, touch-and-go activity, and nighttime compliance. They're designed to support informed conversations and make data accessible to everyone.
Longmont’s Flight Data Dashboard
https://superiorairtracker.com/airports/KLMO
Longmont’s Flight Data Dashboard
https://superiorairtracker.com/airports/KLMO
Recent Op-Eds Regarding the Airport
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Times-Call
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