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Airport

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1. How can I voice a concern or make a suggestion about improving Buchanan Field or Byron Airport?

The Aviation Advisory Committee is one forum for voicing opinions and concerns. The committee typically meets on the second Thursday of each month at the Director of Airports Office at 550 Sally Ride Drive in Concord, CA. Meetings are open to the general public and include a public comment period. You may also email your concern to Airports staff or submit a comment by completing an Airports Feedback Form, which may be found on the Noise Management Page.

2. I have heard that the Contra Costa County Airports is improving Byron Airport with the plan to close Buchanan Field in the near future. Is this true?

No. In 2006, the Board of Supervisors discussed whether Contra Costa County should consider closing Buchanan Field and repurpose the land for commercial and residential development. After a thorough review of the economic and community benefits associated with Buchanan Field, the Board of Supervisors affirmed that the Airport is too valuable a resource to lose. A recent article written by Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor, reaffirms the Board’s commitment to the continued development and success of Buchanan Field, which is a key piece to the Bay Area’s transportation infrastructure.
Following World War II, Buchanan Field was deeded by the federal government to Contra Costa County with the condition that it would operate as a public airport in perpetuity. Federal Aviation Administration grant assurances associated with airport improvement project funds also obligate the County to continue operating the Airport.

3. What is Contra Costa County Airports doing to address aircraft noise?

Buchanan Field is one of only a few airports in California to have adopted a noise ordinance which limits operating hours for flight training and touch and go operations. The Airport prohibits airplanes that exceed 78 dBA (older, stage 2 noise rating aircraft). Airports staff maintains regular communication with pilots based at Buchanan Field regarding Noise Management Program and aircraft specific noise abatement procedures, and encourages its pilots to avoid flying over neighboring communities whenever possible. The Aviation Advisory Committee (AAC) provides the public a forum for which to voice opinions and concerns on airport matters. A monthly noise statistics report is provided to the AAC by Airports staff. Please visit the AAC webpage under Airports Administration on this website for more information.

4. Can't you tell the plane that is flying over my residence to go somewhere else?

Once an aircraft has left the ground, it is in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) jurisdiction. For the safety of both pilots and the community, only the FAA can direct an aircraft to change altitude or flight path and use certain runways. This direction is often based on wind and weather conditions that may vary throughout the day. While Airports staff cannot direct a plane to change direction, communication with pilots regarding community concerns is ongoing. If you notice an aircraft flying objectionably low or loud, we value your feedback. You may submit an Airport Feedback Form, which can be found on the Community Resources: Noise Management page.

5. What is the curfew for airplanes to arrive and depart at Buchanan Field?

Buchanan Field is a 24 hour facility, so there is no curfew for arrivals or departures. However, flight training and touch-and-go operations are limited to the Air Traffic Control Tower’s operating hours, which are 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM. The curfew for airplanes exceeding 75 dBA (compare to the sound of a freeway, 50 feet from curb) is 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM.

6. There seems to be more and more noise coming from Buchanan Field. Have the number of flights increased recently?

Aviation activity varies depending on weather and economic factors and typically increases in spring and summer months. Buchanan Field averages approximately 100,000 operations (take-off or landings) per year. The peak use of Buchanan Field in the last 30 years was in 1990, when the Airport had over 300,000 operations, and was home to a commercial airline and a helicopter flight training school. Annual operations decreased during the recent recession—hitting a 25 year low in 2012—but have rebounded with the economy in 2013 and 2014. For a graph of operations by year, please click on the Buchanan Field Annual Operations Link found on the Buchanan Field (CCR) page of this website.

7. How is Contra Costa County Airports marketing itself to remain competitive in the General Aviation airport market?

Airports staff is working on a series of planned informational videos to inform the general public about the benefits provided by Buchanan Field and Byron Airports and encourage pilots and prospective tenants to consider basing their aircraft at the Airports. The first video, Touch Down in the Bay Area (LINK), was completed in late 2014. The second video, Learning to Fly, is currently in production and will focus on the process of earning a pilot’s license, and the various services and programs based at Contra Costa County Airports that make that goal easier to attain.
Airports staff is also constantly improving the website to improve usability and functionality, including news and event features that users may subscribe to and remain apprised of current issues and events at the Airports.
Airports staff has convened the Economic Development Incentive Program, a working group of the Airports’ stakeholders, to help prioritize projects and programs that will best market the Buchanan Field and Byron Airport.

8. How can I report a pilot performing aerobatic maneuvers near residential developments? What is Airports staff doing to address this issue?

Once an aircraft has left the ground, it is in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) jurisdiction. Pilots that are flying low may be reported directly to the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) by calling (510) 748-0122. You may also notify Airports staff by submitting an Airports Feedback Form.
Airports staff fielded several calls in late 2014 and early 2015 regarding aerobatic maneuvers being performed east of the City of Brentwood and south of the City of Antioch. Airports staff responded by sending out notices to all of its tenants at Buchanan Field and Byron Airports requesting that pilots not perform aerobatic operations near residential developments. An outreach was also done to other Bay Area airports to provide the notice to their tenants. Since that time, the number of complaints regarding the issue has decreased.

9. Is Buchanan Field close to Bay Area transportation?

Yes. Buchanan Field has convenient access to I-680 and Highway 4; both of which are major freeways in the Bay Area. If you plan to fly to Buchanan Field, car rentals are available on the east side of Buchanan Field. If you plan to stay at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, located on Airport property, the hotel provides a free shuttle to the BART train and other major transportation centers. A County Connection bus line also runs adjacent to the west and east entrances to Buchanan Field.

10. Are tours of Buchanan Field available to the public?

Yes. Typically, tours consist of 5-20 children and a maximum of one chaperon per three children. To schedule a tour, please visit our Airport Tour Program page under Community Resources and click on “Schedule a Tour” to fill out the application form.

11. Can I reserve the Public Viewing Plaza for a private event?

The Public Viewing Plaza is located at the end of John Glenn Drive in Concord and is available on a first come, first serve basis. It is not currently available to reserve for exclusive gatherings. The Plaza has three shaded picnic tables, several small play structures and a painted runway map for children. Live FAA communications with pilots are also broadcast via loud speaker for an exciting viewing experience.
Note: If you plan to hold a gathering at the Public Viewing Plaza, please refrain from bringing balloons or other things that might cause problems for aircraft operating at the Airport.

12. How can I book a flight from Buchanan Field to another major airport?

Buchanan Field now has scheduled charter service provided by JetSuiteX. For more information, please visit their website.

13. If I rent space at Buchanan Field or Byron Airport, can I pay my bill online?

Yes. ePay was made available in 2014, which allows hangar and tie-down tenants to pay their invoices online using a bank account or credit card. A link to ePay is available on the Pilot Information page of this website.

14. I am a pilot planning on flying to Buchanan Field. Where can I find information on Noise Abatement Procedures and preferred runways?

Thank you for visiting us! The Noise Management Program and AirNav information for Buchanan Field is available on the Buchanan Field (CCR) page of this website.

15. Is flight training available at the County Airports?

Yes! For flight training, please contact one of the Buchanan Field’s Fixed Based Operators by visiting the "Airport Businesses" link on the Buchanan Field (CCR) page of this website.

16. What types of fuel are available at Buchanan Field and Byron Airports?

Buchanan Field has 100 Low Lead fuel as well as Jet A fuel available. For fueling options, please contact one of Buchanan Field’s Fixed Based Operators by visiting the "Airport Businesses" link on the Buchanan Field (CCR) page of this website.
Byron Airport has 100 Low Lead fuel available at a self-service station, located south of the administrative building.

17. If there is no vacancy for hangars, why aren’t Buchanan Field and Byron Airport building more hangar space?

For information on development, please visit “Doing Business with the Airport” on the Airports Administration page of this website. Due to government contracting processes and prevailing wage requirements, the total development cost is approximately 30% higher for the County Airports to develop hangar space. The resultant rent to cover the development costs would be considerably higher than the market rate. The County Airports has focused on public/private partnerships as an alternative, to bring hangar space about more economically. Airports staff is also exploring costs and feasibility of other options for providing lower cost hangar space.

18. Is skydiving available at Buchanan Field or Byron Airports?

Yes. Skydiving is available at Byron Airport by contacting Bay Area Skydiving (see "Airport Businesses" link on the Byron Airport (C83) page of this website).

19. Where can I find information and rules regarding unmanned aircraft systems/drones?

There are separate rules for recreational, public entity or business uses of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) website pertaining to UAS policies is available at www.faa.gov/uas/. The "Know Before You Fly" campaign is another informational resource; available at www.knowbeforeyoufly.org.