In accordance with the Federal Preemption on Airspace regulation (49 U.S.C. 40101), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has exclusive authority in regulating airspace over the United States and prescribes air traffic regulations on the flight of aircraft.
Although Watsonville Municipal Airport works diligently to make pilots aware of the impact that overflights have on the residential community and asks that such overflights be avoided, safety permitting, the City does not have the authority to address or act upon aircraft in flight.
Therefore, all of Watsonville's noise abatement procedures are requests to pilots, and hence, are voluntary in nature.
After due consideration and outreach to national general aviation organizations for guidance, the Watsonville Airport Advisory Committee believes the following statement from the Watsonville City Council to the WVI pilot community would be reasonable and that the pilot community would not hesitate to voluntarily comply.
The Watsonville Airport Advisory Committee recommends that aeronautical activities be conducted at such a location and in such a manner as to ensure not only safe operations per FAA regulations but also with due consideration for the peace and quiet enjoyment of citizens and adjacent communities.