What can be done about obnoxious pilots?

Question

I live in SW Denver and I occasionally hear private pilots scream by between 3 and 5 a.m. I cannot see any reason for this behavior except maliciousness. Can I call the tower to make a complaint against these "pilots"?

Answer 1

Are you sure they are private pilots?  Is it a propeller sound or a jet?  It's very possible you live near a military practice area. I wasn't in the military, but I imagine that training can take place all times off the day. They do a lot of low-level, high speed maneuvers.

Unless someone has it out for you, I wouldn't call it maliciousness.  You might live near a private airfield that someone is using very early in the morning.

The only recourse you have is to get what is known as the registration (N-number) of the airplane.  It's usually near the tail and is written as such "N12345"  or N with numbers and letters.  Military aircraft will not have this number.  If you do this and see that the registration begins with a "C" or anything else, the aircraft is not registered in the US.

Either way, get this number and report it to the nearest FAA FSDO (Flight Standards Department),number is in the phone book.  The FAA will investigate it.

I hate to bring this up, but operating an airplane this early in the morning could, COULD, be smuggling of some nature.  But more then likely, it's somone who doesn't realize where your house is or is flying too low.

Answer 2

Is it commercial aircraft?  If so, then your anger at the pilots is misplaced.  Blame the FAA and/or the airline and/or ATC and/or the airport.  

To answer your question, yes, complain to the airport.

If it's military, complain to....who knows?  Your congressman maybe?

Answer 3

Maliciousness implies intent, only your arrogance can make you think pilots are deliberately making noise to bother you. Trust me they do not know you are there!

If anybody was flying near you with malicious intent such as too low etc.

They should go to jail but again I doubt this is the case.

You are probably living under the approach path to a runway at a near by airport. You said yourself 'occasionally' Therfore this runway is only used at this time occasionally. ''

Airplane noise is a fact of life. You say there are no airports near you, yet you want to call " The Tower" go ahead. If you are right they will act.

Answer 4

Look, I deal with aircraft noise complaints for a living.  The bottom line is this: if these aircraft are doing something illegal (violating Federal Aviation Regulations) you have a wonderful case.  If they are doing something which is changeable (i.e. they use a route which saves 2 minutes, but could just as well use another route and avoid you) then you have to find the operators and plead your case.  If, however, you live under the established flight path of an airport, airway, or military training route, well, then you need to find out who owns the flight path, and plead your case with them.  This won't be easy for you.  You really need to listen to the advice of the previous posts and do your homework.  Note the times, EXACTLY, and dates of the flyovers.  Get as much detail on the aircraft (jet or prop, color, direction of flight, estimated altitude, any markings, etc) and begin to complain to the FSDO with this data.  You have to complain from a position of informed calm, not ranting generalities and you will be listened to.  If you continue on this "ranting lunatic" path, you will be politely "handled" and dismissed as a nutcase.  Gather your data, make a valid case, and document the disruption (lost sleep, stress on livestock, etc) and go in with FACTS.  

Answer 5

It's hard to imagine a light airplane "screaming by" at any hour.  Can you give us more details about the sound they make, how frequently this occurs (you say "occasionally," which could mean anything), and the type of airplane involved?

"Screaming" implies jet engines, which in turn does NOT imply a "private pilot."  Can you explain why you chose the words "private pilots?"

There is quite a bit of military flight activity in the Denver area, and that sounds like the source to me.  You can call the Air Force Academy and complain about the noise, but I'll bet I don't have to predict what the answer will be like.

In any event, I can assure you that the source of your annoyance is not some hot-dog "private pilot" out having some fun at your expense at 4:00 AM.  It is somebody working hard, going somewhere in the pursuit of a meager living flying night freight or some military jet jockey following orders so as to avoid having to do pushups.

I know all this is scant comfort to you if you have been awakened.  But it is unlikely that there is no other reason for it.

If there is no airport within 20 miles, why would you "call the tower?"  In general, we would need more details to answer further.

Answer 6

If you live in SW Denver, you’re practically next to Centennial airport. Buckley ANG base is pretty close as well. The times that you mention coincide pretty much with night freight operations where the boxes are brought to the international airport by people like Fedex and DHL are divvied up to the smaller planes so that they can be sent out to the surrounding area. Anybody headed southwest from Denver will be doing everything that they can to make it over the front range safely. That means loud high power settings. (If he’s flying a Metroliner you’ll hear him in the next county.)

It’s not malice, just a legitimate scheduled operation.

Answer 7

You're right, these guys get up between 0300 and 0500 just to aggravate you.

Do you live near an airport?  Was it there when you bought your house?

Did it occur to you that these guys might be working hauling checks or mail or boxes and if you'd paid more attention when home buying you wouldn't have this problem?

Answer 8

Your question is odd. Are you listening on a scanner? If so, this is a voluntary action on your part. If the alleged language offends you unplug the scanner or radio, simple as that. In the U.S. If this doesn't work for you, contact the FAA @ www.faa.gov