Noise Compatibility Program Operational Measures

The aircraft overflight program at Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) has continually evolved throughout its history. During the 2013 Noise Study, a series of operational noise measures aimed at reducing overflights were evaluated, which were then incorporated into a Noise Compatibility Program for RSW. These measures were suggested by the Lee County Port Authority (LCPA), local Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Traffic Control, and public during three series of public workshops held during the 2013 Noise Study. While the FAA disapproved all of the operational measures to be enforced on a mandatory basis, there has been significant progress in the local FAA Air Traffic Control implementing these measures voluntarily to reduce annoyance caused with aircraft overflights for the communities surrounding RSW. Some of the voluntary operational measures include:

    • Visual Optimized Profile Descent (OPD) to Runway 06 – This measure promotes use of an RNAV Visual OPD procedure that directs aircraft arrivals over unpopulated areas between the mainland and Estero Island (Fort Myers Beach).
    • Publish Charted Visual Approach to Runway 06 from the North and South –This measure involves the FAA publishing a procedure that identifies visual landmarks to assist pilots flying under visual flight rules to avoid flying over non-compatible land uses. Using this procedure to mirror or overlay the new RNAV Visual OPD approach will improve sequencing and allow the ATCT to use the RNAV Visual OPD procedure more consistently
    • Keep Aircraft at 3,000 ft. Over Fort Myers Beach – It is the intent of this measure to implement mechanisms to delay the descent of arriving aircraft and maintain an altitude of up to 3,000 ft. until after they overfly Fort Myers Beach. A new ILS procedure was published on May 2, 2013, that increases the glide slope intercept altitude from 1,600 ft. to 3,000 ft. MSL just west of Fort Myers Beach. This places aircraft descending on the ILS glide slope to Runway 6 at between 2,700 and 2,800 ft. MSL as they cross Fort Myers Beach.
    • Change Runway 24 to Preferred Runway From 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. – This measure involves the use of Runway 24 as the preferred runway during nighttime hours (10 p.m. to 6 a.m.), wind/weather permitting. In exploring opportunities to address late night and early morning aircraft operations occurring at RSW, it was determined that a potential change in the voluntary preferential runway after 10 p.m. could reduce nighttime annoyance.
    • Increase Altitude of Early Morning Arrivals – This measure involves working with the FAA to help ensure early morning overflights remain above 3,000 ft. as they pass over Fort Myers Beach.
    • Modify CSHEL FOUR Departure Procedure – This measure involves modification of the CSHEL FOUR departure procedure to reduce overflights of densely populated areas. The CSHEL FOUR Departure Procedure off of Runway 24 directs departing aircraft through the Alico industrial corridor. The FAA is currently providing verbal guidance directing aircraft reaching MAPUL and 3,000 ft. MSL to turn direct to CSHEL, but a published procedure is not currently in development.

These recommendations are subject to the discretion of local FAA Air Traffic Control and the pilot in command, however, LCPA will continue to encourage adherence to our voluntary noise compatibility program operational measures without compromise to safety.