Long Beach Airport

About the Program

The Airport’s Fly Friendly Program is a voluntary initiative that analyzes key performance metrics (average altitude and average noise level) to encourage and recognize best practices in noise abatement and use of unleaded fuel among flight schools based at the Airport.  These key performance metrics were developed based upon concerns expressed by the communities and quantifiable parameters that have the potential to provide meaningful improvements.  The Airport is one of only a few airports in the nation to have a program specifically focused on General Aviation (GA) and is committed to seeking meaningful opportunities, within local authority, to address community noise concerns.

Voluntary measures provide the best and quickest method of reducing noise exposure and are designed to augment the benefits provided by the Airport Noise Compatibility Ordinance.  Additional mandatory measures would likely require a detailed 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 161 process and could possibly open the existing Airport Noise Compatibility Ordinance to legal challenge.

Recognition Program

Quarterly and annual recognition will be given to flight schools based at the Airport who have made voluntary efforts to improve their key performance metrics, be actively engaged, provide educational data and training to instructors and/or pilots, transition to unleaded fuel (such as through the Airport’s Supplemental Type Certificate [STC] fee Reimbursement Program and Subsidized Aviation Fuel for the Environmental [SAFE] Subsidy Program), etc.  Annual awards will be given in gold, silver, and bronze recognition categories for Most Improved, Most Engaging, and Most Friendly. 

Additional Information

The Airport will provide an FFP summary of quarterly and annual recognition of LGB-based flight schools within its published Monthly Noise Reports that are publicly available on the City Manager’s webpage, on the Airport’s website, and are presented to the Airport Advisory Commission.

Refer to City of Long Beach memorandum dated June 10, 2025, for more information on the program.

Fly Friendly Program Results
Each quarter, Long Beach Airport publishes results from our Fly Friendly Program. Below you’ll find links to past quarterly reports, allowing the community to follow the program’s progress over time.

First Quarter 2025 Fly Friendly Program Results
Second Quarter 2025 Fly Friendly Program Results
Third Quarter 2025 Fly Friendly Program Results
2025 Annual Fly Friendly Program Awards