FAA Signs Off on Quieter Skies Over Madison, Wisconsin
Published Date: 7/16/2026
Notice
Summary
The FAA has officially approved Dane County Regional Airport’s noise plan to help reduce loud sounds around Madison, Wisconsin. This plan includes 12 key actions like quieter flight paths and better land use rules, starting July 10, 2026. Local residents, travelers, and the airport will see these changes, aiming for a calmer, more peaceful neighborhood without big costs right away.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
FAA Approves Airport Noise Plan
The FAA officially approved Dane County Regional Airport’s Noise Compatibility Program effective July 10, 2026. The submission included 18 proposed measures; the FAA approved 12 measures, partially approved 2, approved 1 as voluntary, disapproved 1, and determined 2 require no present FAA action.
Sound Insulation for Noisy Homes
The FAA approved implementing a Sound Insulation Program to provide treatment to noise‑sensitive structures located within the 65 DNL noise contour. This targets buildings inside the 65 DNL contour to receive noise mitigation treatments under the program approved July 10, 2026.
Voluntary Buyouts Inside 70 DNL
The program approved continuing voluntary land acquisition of noncompatible land uses inside the 70 DNL noise contour. The action is intended to allow voluntary purchase of properties within the 70 DNL contour as part of noise‑compatibility efforts.
Approved Noise‑Abatement Flight Procedures
The FAA approved several noise‑abatement flight and departure procedure recommendations effective July 10, 2026, including encouraging departures to climb to 2,500 feet MSL before turning (for Runways 32 and Runway 3 procedures), encouraging 10‑degree left turns after Runway 21 departures, encouraging use of established helicopter corridors, and encouraging use of Noise Abatement Departure Profile (NADP) procedures by jet operators (approved as voluntary).
No FAA Limit on F‑35A Night Flights
The FAA disapproved the recommendation to encourage the Wisconsin Air National Guard 115th Fighter Wing to limit F‑35A aircraft operations to daytime. That disapproval is part of the Record of Approval dated July 10, 2026.
Monitoring Oak Park Terrace Mobile Homes
The FAA approved monitoring for voluntary land acquisition of the Oak Park Terrace mobile home community as part of Dane County’s noise compatibility program approved July 10, 2026. This measure targets a specific mobile home community identified in the submission.
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