The Ohio State University Airport strives to be a good neighbor while meeting its commitment to airport users. Whenever possible, attempts are made to reduce the effects and exposure of aircraft noise. The airport staff works closely with aircraft operators, the Federal Aviation Administration and neighborhood groups to help minimize noise impacts on the surrounding community.
Noise Abatement Guidelines
The Ohio State University has established noise abatement recommendations for pilots flying in or out of the airport. For a printable version, please click here.
Part 150 Noise Study
A Federal Aviation Regulations Part 150 Noise and Land Use Compatibility Study was completed in 2011. The study documents noise levels from current and forecasted future aircraft operations.
The airport noise study evaluates the noise impact of the proposed improvements on the surrounding community. For more information about the study process and its results, see the OSU Airport Noise and Land User Compatibility Study website.
Aircraft Flight Characteristics
To understand noise generated by aircraft, it is important to be aware of the flow of traffic at the airport. The direction of the prevailing wind determines runway use. In Central Ohio winds are generally from the west or southwest approximately 70% of the time, so a majority of airport traffic arrives from the east and departs to the west. Other factors that can influence aircraft noise are cloud cover, nearby air traffic, and aircraft type.
To better understand the characteristics of individual flights, the Columbus Regional Airport Authority (CRAA) has a flight tracking system that allows the public to see the general location of flights and air traffic flow in the Columbus region.
Aircraft can legally fly at altitudes that some residents find annoying or believe to be unsafe. The FAA has regulatory authority over aircraft in flight, on runways and on taxiways. While the occasional aircraft in flight can be bothersome, most complaints of low-flying aircraft pertain to operations that are within the Federal Aviation Regulations. Complaints regarding low-flying aircraft should be directed to the Federal Aviation Administration. Once on the FAA website, click on Aircraft, then Flight Standards District Office (FSDO).