Airport Noise & Curfew

The Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) requests all commercial and private aircraft operators to respect the Airport’s Noise and Curfew and encourages operators to participate in the voluntary Fly With Integrity Noise Program.

Fly With Integrity Noise Program

Since the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE or Airport) established the voluntary Fly Quiet Program in 2008, it has been a key part of ASE’s efforts to reduce the impacts of aircraft noise on the surrounding community. ASE has regularly updated the noise program to reflect changing needs and to keep pace with new developments in noise monitoring technology. The Fly Quiet Program encouraged operators to mitigate noise from aircraft operations and to comply with voluntary noise abatement procedures. Fly Quiet Reports dating back to 2015 are available on the ASE website reports page.

In an effort to update and to better reflect ASE’s intention of the program, the name was changed from “Fly Quiet” to “Fly With Integrity” in 2024.

The Airport’s voluntary Fly With Integrity Noise Program is a continuation of ASE’s historic noise program. It encourages pilots to utilize the quietest available aircraft and operate as quietly as possible, while maintaining safe operation of the aircraft. Although safety is the number one priority, Fly With Integrity promotes a voluntary, participatory approach to comply with noise abatement procedures along with the mandatory Noise Curfew.

The Fly With Integrity Noise Program includes the following measures:

  • Fleet noise quality
  • High noise events
  • Curfew
  • Measured quiet departure
  • Noise contour size
  • Bonus categories:
    • Commitment to Minimize Ground Noise
    • Sustainability Commitment
    • Quietest Aircraft Type

 

These measures are used to track the success of noise reduction efforts in order to achieve the 30% reduction goal included in the ASE Vision Common Ground Recommendations (CGRs). Operators are encouraged to improve their scores by following the tips listed in the Fly With Integrity Noise Program Help Guide.

Airport operators are divided into two groups for evaluation: 1) operators with over 60 operations per year, and 2) operators with 12 to 60 operations per year. Within these two groups, operators are categorized based on the type of operators (either Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations [14 CFR] Part 135, which incorporates fractional and charter operations, OR single owners or small fleets [single aircraft]). For each operator, scores are calculated, and reports are generated to evaluate compliance with the voluntary noise program categories. The program was designed to be modified and expanded as additional radar and noise monitoring capabilities became available. For example, year-round noise monitoring at the Woody Creek Remote Noise Monitoring Site was added in 2020 to supplement the seasonal noise monitoring that had been conducted there previously. The Airport Advisory Board continues to  review the noise program to modernize metrics and measures that will better allow the Airport to make progress toward the ASE Vision Core Community Goal.

Noise Curfew

All aircraft are requested to abide by the Airport’s Curfew Restrictions as detailed below. Apart from emergency medical flights and approved irregular commercial aircraft operations, aircraft operators who do not comply with the Noise Curfew are subject to the County’s enforcement process and could be subjected to a fine. Curfew violations will also result in score reductions in the Fly With Integrity Noise Program.

Operating Hours

  • Airport is attended: 0700 – 2300 MST
  • Airport is closed: 2300 – 0700 MST
  • Air Traffic Control Tower hours: 0700 – 2000 MST
  • Airport uncontrolled from: 2000 – 2300 MST

Curfew Restrictions

All Stage I aircraft operations are prohibited, and violators will be prosecuted. Stage II/III aircraft can only operate from 0700 MST to 30 minutes after sunset by County ordinance. Stage III aircraft can only operate from 30 minutes after sunset to 2300 MST. No departures are allowed after 2230 MST. Noise abatement procedures are required; pilots must fly ATC-assigned headings or standard departure procedures. If no heading or departure procedure is assigned, the pilot must turn right to the noise abatement heading of 360 degrees and continue for two miles before proceeding on course.

All commercial operations must have arrived at the Airport and landed on the ground prior to 2300 hours local time. All scheduled commercial airlines must depart from the Airport prior to 2230 hours local time.

Exemptions will only be granted to aircraft operating in an emergency capacity (such as medevac/flight for life, Search and Rescue, and firefighting operations).

Nighttime General Aviation Restrictions

For all general aviation operations between 30 minutes after sunset to 2300 MST the following applies:

  • VFR Operations: Aircraft must be equipped as required under FAR 91.205 (D) for instrument flight and the pilot must be instrument rated. The VFR pilot in command must have completed at least one takeoff or landing in the preceding 12 months at the Airport.
  • IFR Operations: The pilot may execute approach and departure procedures only with air traffic control clearance.

 

Noise Reduction Goal

In 2019, as part of the ASE Vision Process, a noise-related Core Community Goal was set for the Airport: Reduce noise by at least 30 percent

In an effort to better track progress toward a reduction in noise by at least 30 percent, ASE is modernizing its existing noise program. This effort includes the use of eight year-round noise monitors that continuously measure and record noise levels, development of outreach materials to educate operators on how they can help contribute to achieving the goal, and the introduction of new metrics that will enhance ASE’s ability to assess and monitor noise associated with aircraft operations. In addition to noise monitoring data that is being collected, the Airport is leveraging operational data, radar flight track data, and noise contour modeling to gain further insight into the noise produced by aircraft operating at ASE.

The first task in the noise program modernization effort was to site the eight year-round noise monitors. These monitors were installed in early fall 2024 in the locations identified in the map linked here.

Airport Noise 101

See Noise 101 slide Deck presented at the March 2025 Airport Advisory Board meeting.

Noise Concerns

The Airport seeks to prioritize our community’s values of safety, health and well-being, environmental responsibility, and operational efficiency in all that we do. For community, environmental, and noise concerns associated with the Airport, please use this form to contact us.