Oshawa Executive Airport is situated within an extensively developed urban environment and is owned by the City of Oshawa. The 2015-2019 Oshawa Executive Airport Business Plan included a commitment to ensure that the airport is operated within the context of being a “Good Community Neighbour.” In recent years, the City has become increasingly aware of resident concerns regarding aircraft noise and in 2021, the City retained HM Aero to undertake the process specified by Transport Canada in Advisory Circular 302-002 – Implementation of New or Amended Noise Abatement Procedures.

HM Aero conducted a comprehensive analysis of multiple years of noise complaints, aircraft movement data, and land use typologies to clearly identify the challenge being experienced within neighborhoods surrounding the airport. Through a review of procedures in place at comparable airports across Canada and based on the analyzed noise complaint root causes, HM Aero recommended a series of 14 draft noise abatement procedures for consideration by City Council and stakeholders.

HM Aero led a consultation process with the community, tenants, stakeholders, and industry associations, including four open houses and an online survey that received nearly 400 responses. The implications (e.g., noise, costs, aircraft emissions, etc.) of each procedure were analyzed, culminating in a set of nine procedures that were approved by City Council in 2022 for submission to Transport Canada for consideration. These procedures included proposed mechanisms for preferential runway usage, hours of operation, departure procedures, and the restriction of flight training.  The proposed noise abatement procedure package was provided to Transport Canada for implementation consideration in 2022.