KPAO Palo Alto — local VFR procedures

The current flow at KPAO is uncertain right now (WIND_INFERRED) — all procedures are shown without filtering. Live runway page →

Not for navigation. These are locally published VFR routes, reproduced with sources; verify against the official documents linked from each procedure before flight.

Noise sensitive areas lie west and south of the field; the Baylands preserve is immediately northeast (bird activity). Pattern altitude 800' bayside, 1000' peninsula side. Tower 0700-2100. "ATCT DIRECTION SUPERSEDES NOISE ABATEMENT." PAO airspace lies under the SFO Class B and SJC Class C.

VFR departures

Runway 31

Left Dumbarton Departure — Runway 31: right 10° on takeoff, climb over the bay, no left turn until the Dumbarton Auto Bridge; cross Highway 101 at or above 1,500 ft.
Right 270°/220° Departure — Runway 31: climb over the bay while turning 220° to the south or 270° to the west; request it clearly — the tower denies right downwind departures.

Runway 13

Left 270° Departure — Runway 13: turn left and climb over the bay through a 270° turn to the west; cross Highway 101 at or above 1,500 ft.

Other local procedures

All operations — 13 / 31

Fly Neighborly — Noise Abatement — Voluntary: climb to at least 1,500 ft before crossing Highway 101, fly over the bay whenever possible, reduce power settings when safe.

These routes are advisory as published — none of them is a regulation. Assigned by ATC in Class B, C or D airspace, a route becomes an ATC instruction under 14 CFR 91.123; “unable” remains available to the pilot in command. Each procedure page shows its own authority level and links its primary sources.