runwayinuse

Fly Neighborly — Noise Abatement KPAO local VFR procedures

The current flow at KPAO is uncertain right now (WIND_INFERRED), so whether this procedure applies at this moment is unknown. Live runway page →

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.

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

The route

  1. Aircraft are asked to climb to and maintain at least 1500 feet before crossing Hwy 101
  2. Fly over the bay whenever possible
  3. Use reduced power settings whenever safely possible — even a reduction of 200 RPM can significantly reduce noise

When it applies

Source text, verbatim

PAO Noise Abatement Procedures
Please fly neighborly and be aware of the surrounding communities. There are noise sensitive areas to the West and South of the Airport. Aircraft are asked to climb to and maintain at least 1500 feet before crossing Hwy 101.
Fly over the bay whenever possible.
Please use reduced power settings whenever safely possible to reduce noise impacts. Even a reduction in 200 RPM can significantly reduce noise.
ATCT DIRECTION SUPERSEDES NOISE ABATEMENT
[2023 Annual Noise Report:] Noise abatement procedures are voluntary procedures that the Airport asks pilots to follow. The Airport is prohibited from restricting airspace... The Palo Alto Airport cannot levy fines on pilots that violate the voluntary noise procedures.

The text above is the published source wording and is authoritative over any summary on this page.

Sources

All KPAO procedures · KPAO runway in use