Community · Noise and our neighbours
Aircraft noise and our neighbours.
When we fly, how we manage noise, and how to raise a concern.
Report a noise concern
Use the form on this page, email [email protected] or call 01634 869969.
Operating hours
When we fly.
Rochester is a daytime airfield. Flying outside licensed hours is by prior permission only and is limited to the periods below. Outside these hours you may still hear the air ambulance, police and other emergency services, and occasional military movements, which operate under their own arrangements.
| Period | Summer (BST) | Winter (GMT) |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed hours | 08:30–17:30 | 08:30–17:30 |
| Early unlicensed period, by permission | 07:30–08:30 | 07:30–08:30 |
| Evening unlicensed period, by permission | 17:30–19:30 | None |
| Airport closed from | 20:00 | 18:00 |
| Movements outside flying hours | Only with prior Airport Director approval, charged £50 per movement plus the landing fee. See the tariff. | |
| Circuit training | Within licensed hours only |
No night flying.
The airfield is not lit and does not operate at night. Movements outside licensed hours need prior permission and are the exception, not the rule.
Understanding aircraft noise
What you hear, and why.
Aircraft activity can cause disturbance. Noise may come from arrivals, departures, training circuits or activity on the ground. Wind, aircraft type and where you are listening from all affect what is heard.
Training circuits bring aircraft back to the airfield and can result in repeated passes. The runway and procedures used depend on the wind, operational conditions and safety requirements at the time.
How we manage noise
Practical improvements, safe operations.
The strategic plan identifies noise management, clearer communication and community engagement as priorities. We work with pilots and operators to understand concerns and identify practical improvements while keeping operations safe.
Circuits to the west
The published circuit is west of the airfield, left-hand for runway 02 and right-hand for runway 20, at 1,000 ft QFE, keeping training traffic away from the built-up areas to the east.
Published procedures
Pilots follow the published aerodrome procedures and the airport briefing, including noise abatement and helicopter procedures. Noise concerns never justify an unsafe manoeuvre.
Working with operators
Where a concern points to a pattern, we raise it with the operator or school concerned and review procedures through the Rochester Airport Consultative Committee.
Report a concern
Tell us what you experienced.
Concerns are easiest to investigate within seven days of the event. For repeated events, list the dates and times in the description. There is no need to estimate an aircraft’s height or identify its operator, and please avoid including personal information about other people.
What happens next
Acknowledge. Investigate. Respond. Review.
Every concern is logged and answered. These are the timings we aim to meet.
01 · Acknowledge
Within 2 working days
The team logs the concern, confirms receipt and asks for any detail needed to investigate.
02 · Investigate
Within 10 working days
Operational records and the procedures in use are reviewed. Where appropriate, the team seeks information from the operator. Some events cannot be identified.
03 · Respond
A written answer
The response explains what could be established, whether procedures were followed and any follow-up. Recurring themes inform engagement and operational reviews.
04 · Review
If you are not satisfied
Ask for the concern to be referred to airport management. Unresolved matters can be raised through the Rochester Airport Consultative Committee.
Contact and privacy
Your report is sent only when you choose to send it. Provide the details needed to explain the event and a way to contact you, and please avoid sensitive or unrelated information. Reports are kept for as long as needed to respond and to review recurring themes.