Peterborough Airport diligently works to balance the needs of airport users and stakeholders with the neighbouring community while ensuring the safe, effective operation and long-term success of the airport.
Peterborough Airport records all aviation noise complaints it receives. We are responsible for complaints received from within 10 nautical miles of the airport. For noise complaints about aircraft operating outside of a 10 nautical mile radius of the airport, please report the matter to Transport Canada or call 1-800-305-2059.
In 2017, Peterborough Airport introduced comprehensive Noise Abatement Procedures to minimize the impact of aircraft noise on the community. These guidelines were developed through extensive community engagement and in compliance with Transport Canada regulations.
Key aspects of the Noise Abatement Procedures include:
If you have a concern about noise from the Airport, please see below for information about submitting a noise complaint.
Please note, residents must file reports within 72 hours of the reported occurrence.
To submit a noise report by phone, please contact airport staff at 705-743-6708 during regular business hours.
Please fill in the form, using the link below, including all required fields.
How do aircraft make noise? |
Aircraft make noise from two distinct sources: engine and aerodynamics. Aerodynamic noise is created by the disturbance of air as the plane flies, as well as the propeller spinning at a high speed. The engine noise will predominate when the aircraft is at a higher power setting, like at takeoff, or when increasing altitude. When a plane lands, the engine power is reduced to near idle, and aerodynamic noise can be louder than the engine. |
Why do aircraft fly in circles over the airport? |
Peterborough Airport is home to several flight schools. When pilots are becoming licensed, they must learn to fly “circuits”. The circuit is a left-hand, standard flight pattern in effect at all uncontrolled airports in Canada to facilitate an orderly flow of traffic for aircraft arriving, departing, and conducting continuous take-off landings. Pilots must accumulate many landings and takeoffs to become licensed. As such, they will fly many circuits to practice landings and takeoffs; the two most important phases of flight. |
Does aircraft noise have adverse effects on long-term health? |
Health Canada provides advice to the public and regulatory authorities, such as Transport Canada, on the health effects of noise. This ensures that health risks are considered when decisions are made that affect the exposure to aircraft noise. For more information, please visit Health Canada. |
Does Peterborough Airport have an Air Traffic Control tower? |
Peterborough Airport is an uncontrolled airport and does not have a control tower. NAV Canada is responsible for evaluating individual airports’ needs for a Control Tower. At Peterborough, pilots communicate on a shared radio channel known as the UNICOM (Universal Communications) frequency and coordinate the flow of traffic among themselves using standard Transport Canada procedures. |
Why are some planes louder than others? |
Aircraft can be louder or quieter depending on several different factors. Larger aircraft generally are louder, as they usually have more than one engine, and create more aerodynamic noise than smaller aircraft as they displace more air. |
Are aircraft allowed to fly at night? |
Yes, Peterborough Airport is open to air traffic 24 hours a day. |
What are peak flying times at Peterborough Airport? |
While industrial and charter flights do not have peak flying times, training flights are through the daylight hours when the weather is suitable for flying, and sometimes in the late evening and early night hours to accumulate night flying hours. Private pilots typically fly midday, particularly on weekends. |
What determines which runway the aircraft use? |
Aircraft must take off and land into the wind for a safe landing or takeoff. At Peterborough Airport, there are two runways that aircraft can use. The main runway is Runway 09-27, and the crosswind runway is Runway 13-31. Runways are named after the compass heading the runway faces (i.e. Runway 27 = 270°). At Peterborough, the wind is commonly from the west, and aircraft will take off using Runway 27 which is the east end of the runway. |
Who governs the Peterborough Airport? |
Peterborough Airport is owned by the City of Peterborough and operated by The Loomex Group. Transport Canada is the governing body of aviation in Canada. Peterborough Airport is a certified airport that is required to follow Transport Canada regulations.
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What is the most common aircraft that flies the circuit at Peterborough Airport? |
The most popular training and general aviation aircraft is the Cessna 172. These aircraft are widely used by flight schools in Canada as the Cessna 172 is a great platform for pilots to learn how to fly. These aircraft also make great general aviation aircraft for private pilots. |
Does the Cessna 172 have mufflers or improved propellers to limit noise? |
While there are some options for limiting the noise from a Cessna 172, these methods are not approved for use by Transport Canada or in Canada. |
What are the Airport’s hours of operation? |
Peterborough Airport is staffed from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. from October 1 – March 31, and from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. April 1 – September 30. The airport is open to air traffic 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. |
How can I submit a noise report? |
You may submit a noise report on the Noise Complaint form. Please ensure to fill out all fields of the form. Reports are analyzed and verified by the Community Relations Coordinator. |
Who can I contact regarding aircraft noise? |
Contact the Community Relations Coordinator to discuss any noise-related issues. Refer to the section "Peterborough Airport Community Relations Coordinator" below. |