About the Program

The Airport’s Fly Friendly Program is a voluntary initiative that analyzes key performance metrics (average altitude, average noise level, evening operations, nighttime operations, and day of week operations) to encourage and recognize best practices in noise abatement and use of unleaded fuel among flight schools based at the Airport.  These key performance metrics were developed based upon concerns expressed by the communities and quantifiable parameters that have the potential to provide meaningful improvements.  The Airport is one of only a few airports in the nation to have a program specifically focused on General Aviation (GA) and is committed to seeking meaningful opportunities, within local authority, to address community noise concerns.

Voluntary measures provide the best and quickest method of reducing noise exposure and are designed to augment the benefits provided by the Airport Noise Compatibility Ordinance.  Additional mandatory measures would likely require a detailed 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 161 process and could possibly open the existing Airport Noise Compatibility Ordinance to legal challenge.

Recognition Program

Quarterly and annual recognition will be given to flight schools based at the Airport who have made voluntary efforts to improve their key performance metrics, be actively engaged, provide educational data and training to instructors and/or pilots, transition to unleaded fuel (such as through the Airport’s Supplemental Type Certificate [STC] fee Reimbursement Program and Subsidized Aviation Fuel for the Environmental [SAFE] Subsidy Program), etc.  Annual awards will be given in gold, silver, and bronze recognition categories for Most Improved, Most Engaging, and Most Friendly.

Third Quarter 2025 Fly Friendly Program Results

Above and Beyond Awards

The following flight schools have been recognized for their commitment to the Fly Friendly Program above and beyond expectations.

Long Beach Flying Club

Key Performance Metrics – Current Quarter Comparison to Baseline

                Runway 08L-26R

                Average Altitude: Increase of 10%, from 419 Feet to 463 Feet

                Average Noise Level @RMT 6: Decrease of 0.3 dBA, from 85.0 to 84.7 dBA

                Evening Operations: Decrease of 42%, from 36 to 21

                Day of the Week Operations: Decrease of Weekend of 56%, from 141 to 62

                Runway 08R-26L

                Average Altitude: Increase of 2%, from 346 Feet to 351 Feet

                Day of Week Operations: Decrease of Weekend of 7%, from 1,207 to 1,122

Pacific Air Flight School

Key Performance Metrics – Current Quarter Comparison to Baseline

               Runway 08L-26R

                Average Noise Level @RMT 6: Decrease of 1.6 dBA, from 84.5 to 82.9 dBA

                Evening Operations: Decrease of 50%, from 6 to 3
               
                Day of Week Operations: Decrease of Weekend of 6%, from 92 to 87

                Runway 08R-26L

                Average Noise Level @RMT 5: Decrease of 0.7 dBA, from 83.2 to 82.5 dBA

Additional Items

• Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) Meeting with Noise and Capacity Management Office

Positive Progress

The following flight schools continue to make positive progress:

• Aero City Group
• Aces Aviation
• Sling Pilot Academy

Additional Information

The Airport will provide an FFP summary of quarterly and annual recognition of LGB-based flight schools within its published Monthly Noise Reports that are publicly available on the City Manager’s webpage, on the Airport’s website, and are presented to the Airport Advisory Commission.

Refer to City of Long Beach memorandum dated June 10, 2025, for more information on the program.