Aircraft Maintenance Engine Run-up
Policy - Summary
The Port of Oakland maintains an aircraft engine run-up restriction
policy at Oakland International Airport and regulates enforcement
of the program under Operations Directive Number 616.5. The directive
requires regulation of all engine run-ups for aircraft over 12,500
pounds and all military type aircraft and specifies the location
and time-of-day for this activity. A summary of the regulation is
provided below.
In addition, settlement agreements between the Port of Oakland
and the City of Alameda stipulate that noise level limits be maintained
for evening and nighttime aircraft engine run-up activity. During
the evening hours, 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., engine run-up noise
levels should not exceed 75 decibels in residential areas of Bay
Farm Island. During the nighttime hours, 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.,
engine run-up noise levels should not exceed 70 decibels. These
noise limits are measured at a permanent noise microphone located
on Beach Road adjacent to the airport.
Summary of Operations Directive 616.5
In summary, the Operations Directive that regulates the Port's
policy on aircraft engine run-ups and the use of the Ground Run-up
Enclosure (GRE) facility states:
- Aircraft operators must get authorization from Airside Operations
prior to conducting any aircraft engine run-ups.
- All engine run-ups for aircraft in excess of 12,500 pounds
and all military/military surplus aircraft must be performed at
the Ground Run-up Enclosure (GRE) or at the Alaska Airlines maintenance
blast fences. Engine run-ups may be performed in the GRE between
10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. only for revenue flights occurring that
day.
GRE Engine Run-up Policy:
All aircraft engine run-ups above idle power must be scheduled
during the hours listed in the table below.
Hours of Operation Run-ups Allowed
7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. No restrictions
10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Aircraft needed for a revenue flight departing
that day.
Requirements for Alaska Airlines Blast Fence:
All aircraft engine run-ups above idle power may be performed
at the blast fences during the hours listed in the table below.
Otherwise, the GRE must be used. A one-hour grace period may be
authorized by Airfield Operations for engine run-ups at the blast
fences that are in progress but not completed by 7:00 p.m.
Day of Run-up Run-ups Allowed
Monday - Friday 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Sunday and Holidays Prohibited
Port of Oakland Policy on Engine Run-ups
- The goal of this policy is to minimize noise impacts upon communities
in the vicinity of the airport and to accommodate aircraft operators
requiring engine run-ups.
- It is the intent of Oakland International Airport to utilize
the Ground Run-up Enclosure (GRE) to mitigate noise impacts to
surrounding communities. Toward that end, Airside Operations staff
will promote the use of the GRE for all engine run-ups for aircraft
in excess of 12,500 pounds and all military/military surplus aircraft,
except those engine run-ups conducted at idle power. Refusal to
use the GRE for any reason may result in a denial of permission
to conduct the intended run-up. Use of the GRE must conform to
all aspects of the procedures set forth in this directive.
- No run-ups will be conducted without the prior consent of Airport
Management. Permission for run-ups may be obtained by contacting
Airside Operations.
- Maintenance engine run-ups include operation of aircraft engines
for the purpose of assessing engine performance before, during,
and after maintenance and/or repairs. Operations not included
as maintenance are engine run-ups under the following conditions:
- "Warming-up- of piston driven or turbine/propeller
engines.
- Routine engine and instrument checks prior to take-off.
- All maintenance engine run-ups, regardless of when conducted,
shall be done at locations on the airport approved by the Airside
Operations Supervisor/Manager on Duty.
- Maintenance engine run-ups will be allowed between the hours
of 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. only under the following circumstances:
- Idle-power tests of aircraft engines.
- Aircraft scheduled for a revenue flight departing that day
if the run-up cannot be completed between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00
p.m.
- Unscheduled maintenance operations that must be conducted
to revenue aircraft that have experienced mechanical problems.
- Emergency flight operations and aircraft serving in an emergency
capacity, such as: Police, Fire, Search and Rescue, Air Ambulance,
Aerial Tankers, or transport of emergency supplies and/or personnel.
- Special flight operations and/or aircraft in the service of
federal, state and local law enforcement, military, or a mission
pertinent to national security.
Maintenance Engine Run-up Locations
- Approved locations for maintenance run-ups of Turbo-prop and
Piston engines:
- The North Airport run-up pad adjacent to Taxiway A at the
approach end of Runways 27 Right, and 27 Left. This area is
restricted to Turbo-prop and piston engine aircraft less than
12,500 pounds only.
- The Outdoor Test Stand (Test Cell Number 2) located at the
North Airport. This area is restricted to daytime operations
only, with no runs between 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m..
- Approved locations for run-ups of all other aircraft engines
are:
- The Ground Run-up Enclosure (GRE)
- Alaska Airlines Hangar 6 Blast Fence. (Daytime operation only,
7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., M-F and 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on
Saturday).
- Ramp and apron areas for Idle power only engine run-ups.
- Unusual operational circumstances may require Airside Operations
to authorize run-ups in other safe and appropriately paved areas
on the airport.
|
