Airport Noise & Curfew
The Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) requests all commercial and private aircraft operators respect the airport’s noise curfew and encourages operators to participate in the voluntary Fly With Integrity (FWI) Noise Program.
ASE aims to minimize aircraft noise impacts on the surrounding communities of the Roaring Fork Valley, including the City of Aspen and Pitkin County, as well as nearby environmentally sensitive areas. Encouraging participation in noise abatement measures is a top priority of the airport.
In 2019, as part of the ASE Common Ground Visioning Process, a noise-related goal was set for the airport: to reduce noise by at least 30 percent. ASE is committed to responsible operations and aligning with the community’s “Common Ground” recommendations to maintain a high standard of environmental stewardship.
The airport appreciates the cooperation of pilots, operators, and tenants in supporting efforts to reduce local noise impacts. ASE relies on these partnerships to reduce noise impacts, enhance community compatibility, and protect our remarkable natural surroundings and unique quality-of-life.
Fly With Integrity Noise Program
ASE has long administered a voluntary noise program as an integral initiative to reduce impacts on the surrounding community. 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, in 2024 the name of the noise program was changed from “Fly Quiet” to “Fly With Integrity (FWI).” The voluntary FWI Noise Program encourages pilots to utilize the quietest available aircraft and operate as quietly as possible, while maintaining safe operation of the aircraft. Noise Abatement procedures are described on the airport’s website. Although safety is the number one priority, FWI promotes a voluntary, participatory approach to comply with noise abatement procedures along with the mandatory noise curfew.
The program is regularly updated to reflect changing needs and to keep pace with new developments in noise monitoring technology. For example, in effort to better track progress toward the Common Ground goal to reduce noise by at least 30 percent, ASE added an eighth noise monitor and converted all monitors from seasonal to annual tracking. The noise monitors continuously measure and record noise levels within the community (see noise monitor map) and are used to track metrics within the FWI program.
In addition to noise monitoring data that is being collected, the airport leverages operational data, radar flight track data, and noise contour modeling to gain further insight into the noise produced by aircraft operating at ASE. The following measures are used to track the success of noise reduction efforts in the Fly With Integrity Noise Program.
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 closed: 2300 – 0700 Local Time
– Air Traffic Control Tower hours: 0700 – 2000 Local Time
– Airport uncontrolled from: 2000 – 2300 Local Time
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 encouraged; 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 Concerns
Federal Aviation Administration
The airspace at Aspen/Pitkin County Airport is governed and regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Therefore Pitkin County does not have the authority to restrict the number of flights, time of day or night, or types of aircraft operating at the Airport. The FAA is the sole authority responsible for managing U.S. airspace and formally addressing inquiries related to aircraft operations and noise.
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.
Airport Noise 101
See Noise 101 slide Deck presented at the March 2025 Airport Advisory Board meeting.
ASE Noise Reports
Fly Quiet Reports dating back to 2015