O’Hare Runway Rotation Plan Gets Green Light
Test goes into effect on Wednesday, July 6, 2016
The O’Hare Noise Compatibility Commission (ONCC) announced today that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved a six-month test of a Fly Quiet II Runway Rotation Plan to bring nighttime noise relief to residents living near O’Hare International Airport.
The Fly Quiet II Runway Rotation Plan, developed by the ONCC in conjunction with the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA), Suburban O’Hare Commission and the Fair Allocation in Runways Coalition, will achieve a more balanced distribution of overnight noise exposure for Chicago and suburban communities.
The test consists of 12 weekly primary and secondary runway configurations that will be rotated over 25 weeks and goes into effect on Wednesday, July 6, 2016. ONCC membership approved the weekly runway rotation plan in May by an overwhelming majority vote.
“I appreciate the CDA’s efforts to mesh the runway rotation schedule with airfield construction, slated for both the north and south airfields this summer,” said ONCC Chair and Mount Prospect Mayor Arlene A. Juracek. “By providing a rotation plan that includes both primary and secondary runway choices for each weekly rotation, we ensure that despite construction the Fly Quiet II Runway Rotation Plan will bring a measurable amount of nighttime noise relief to the most impacted communities,” she said.
For each week, a primary runway operating configuration is designated with an alternate configuration designed to accommodate factors such as wind or construction if needed. Each of the 12 weekly runway designations consists of either two runways (one arrival and one departure runway) or one mixed use runway used for both arrivals and departures.
The rotation schedule along with a survey for residents to provide test program feedback will be posted on www.flychicago.com/flyquiettest for the public to view online along with other pertinent information, such as the start and end time of Fly Quiet II and the average duration of time for each weekly period.
"The ONCC takes the feedback from affected residents very seriously, and will work to address the needs of the communities most impacted by nighttime noise identified during the test period,” said Juracek. “Engaging everyone impacted during the test period is critically important to the ONCC. We are looking forward to reviewing the data and formalizing an interim Fly Quiet program that will best address the region's needs prior to full build out of the O'Hare Modernization Program."
In the end, ONCC will provide a recommendation to the FAA as to whether or not the Interim Fly Quiet II rotation plan should be implemented beyond the six-month test period and until the closure of Runway 14R/32L. The FAA will make the final decision.