On Tuesday, October 3, 2017 at 7 p.m. the City of Elmhurst and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will hold a public meeting at City Hall to discuss the Chicago Department of Aviation’s Fly Quiet Runway Rotation Program. The FAA was asked to attend this meeting due to the recent 100% increase in nighttime airplane noise affecting specific areas in Elmhurst.  

This aircraft noise increase is a result of the Chicago Department of Aviation’s Runway Rotation Plan (RRP) test, which has been implemented to analyze the shared impact of aircraft noise in neighborhoods surrounding O’Hare Airport. The RRP Tests encourage pilots and traffic controllers to use designated nighttime runways. The tests are analyzed by community feedback, including a survey designed for the RRP.

The Fly Quiet Program is currently administering RRP Test #3. This test directly impacts specific areas in Elmhurst, with a 100% increase in scheduled nighttime air traffic compared to Test #1 and Test #2. Every other week during the evening hours of 11 p.m. – 5 a.m. aircraft noise from low flying planes are causing distress to many Elmhurst residents. This test will be in place until October 14, 2017. If the survey results for Test #3 show low community feedback, it is possible that this RRP will be the Chicago Department of Aviation’s long-term plan for designated nighttime runway use.

Officials from the FAA will present the progress on the O’Hare Modernization Plan. The meeting will include a presentation by the FAA and a Q&A session with written questions. Questions must be submitted on a form that will be provided at the meeting. Residents with interest and questions regarding the increase in aircraft noise in Elmhurst are encouraged to attend.