Calm-Wind Departure KHAF local VFR procedures
Not for navigation. Verify against the official sources linked below before flight.
noise abatement Airport sponsor published verified 2026-08-27 (43 d ago)
Published by the airport sponsor; voluntary unless ATC assigns it. If ATC assigns this route to you in Class B, C or D airspace, that assignment is an ATC instruction and compliance is required (14 CFR 91.123) — and “unable” remains available to the pilot in command.
For noise abatement, departures go southeasterly when the wind is under 5 knots — typically used in the mornings.
The route
- For noise abatement, use southeasterly departures when the wind is less than 5 knots
- This voluntary noise abatement procedure is typically used in the mornings
When it applies
- Departing 12 The County says "southeasterly departures when the wind is less than 5 knots" without naming a runway number; runway 12 is the southeasterly runway at this single-runway field
Source text, verbatim
Approximately 85 percent of the traffic at the San Carlos Airport and Half Moon Bay Airport arrive and depart to the northwest. For noise abatement, both airports use southeasterly departures when the wind is less than 5 knots (the "calm wind" departures). This voluntary noise abatement procedure is typically used in the mornings.
The text above is the published source wording and is authoritative over any summary on this page.
Sources
- County of San Mateo — Fly SMC Friendly, Community FAQs County of San Mateo Airports · retrieved 2026-08-27