During the weeks of June 4th and July 2nd, there will be an increase in night time air craft noise that may affect many Elmhurst residents.

What has caused the increase in air craft noise?

The effects of air craft noise are caused by a decision of the City of Chicago to rotate arrivals and departures during overnight operations. The O’Hare Modernization Program (OMP) has changed O’Hare’s runway configurations to reduce delays and increase the capacity of flights, which it has done. However the push to rotate overnight runway use has increased airplane noise, for many suburban areas that surround the airport, including the City of Elmhurst.

The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) submitted a Fly Quiet Runway Rotation Test (Test 1) to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for approval of a six-month test period from June - December 2016. Recently the CDA submitted a second Fly Quiet Runway Rotation Test (Test 2) to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for approval of a twelve-week test period. The purpose is to test the capabilities of the different configurations after responding to FAA concerns and to add configurations that were not included in Test 1.

Test 2 is intended to occur during the overnight hours when demand requires one arrival and one departure runway. Test 2 includes a 12-week schedule that consists of 12 weekly periods intended to balance the overnight noise. Each new week would begin on Sunday evening at 10 p.m. or after, when demand allows for one arrival and one departure runway. Some of the new flight patterns in the Fly Quiet Runway Rotation Test fly directly over parts of Elmhurst.

To view the rotation schedule, visit: www.airportprojects.net/flyquiettest/schedule.

What steps is the City taking to voice resident concerns? 

The City of Elmhurst has joined the O’Hare Noise Compatibility Commission to assure concerns are heard regarding the negative effects that new flight patterns may have on Elmhurst residents. City Officials have also expressed concern directly to the Chicago Department of Aviation and the O’Hare Noise Compatibility Commission in writing. 

What can you do to voice your concern?

Please take the Fly Quiet program survey at: www.airportprojects.net/flyquiettest/survey/

Your feedback on the new flight patterns will be reviewed by the O’Hare Noise Compatibility Commission.

For more information on the Fly Quiet Program, visit: http://www.airportprojects.net/flyquiettest/