By Jan Axelson
Northside News
While Madison’s airport is convenient for Northsiders traveling by air, the airport is a source of noise experienced by those who live, work and recreate nearby. To reduce impacts of aircraft noise, the airport sponsors a Noise Compatibility Program (NCP), a voluntary program of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The arrival of F35-A fighter jets for the 115th Fighter Wing of the Wisconsin National Guard prompted an update to the NCP. In late 2025, the airport submitted an amended NCP. The FAA has 180 days to approve, deny or recommend changes to the NCP.
Michael J. Riechers, the airport’s Director of Marketing & Communications, stated “the amended NCP did not remove any measures from the original plan. Instead, it adds to and strengthens the original program based on feedback from both the FAA and the public.”
A map with contour lines shows the Day-Night Average Sound Level (DNL) on land surrounding the airport. Nighttime noise is given more weight because people are sleeping and background noise tends to be less at night.
Public comments on the program questioned the use of average levels when peak noise has greater impact. While the FAA is reviewing its use of the DNL, current maps are required to use average levels.
The NCP discourages future housing development inside the 65 DNL contour. Local governments are responsible for setting permitted land uses.
The NCP recommends assistance for sound insulation for structures within the 65-70 DNL contour. This boundary for assistance is set by the FAA. Most Northside housing is outside the contour, which lies east of Packers Avenue. The qualifying housing is mostly south of the airport, including parts of the Carpenter-Ridgeway and Eken Park neighborhoods.
Sound insulation may include window and door replacement, caulking, weather stripping and fan ventilation systems so windows and doors can remain closed to receive the full benefit of the insulation. The program can begin upon FAA approval and availability of federal funding.
The FAA has determined that mobile homes aren’t practical for sound insulation treatments. This means that homes in the Oak Park Terrance mobile-home community don’t qualify for assistance. Any new development inside the 65 DNL contour also won’t qualify.
A measure in the NCP allows the airport to acquire the Oak Park Terrace property if the owner should decide to sell or repurpose the land. Any acquisition would include relocation assistance for affected residences. The airport isn’t pursuing buying this property.
Some items in the NCP will require multi-year planning and approvals. These include new flight paths to avoid flying over schools and shifting the north-south runway to the north. Another recommendation considers lengthening the northeast-southwest runway so all F-35A aircraft can use the runway. This change would reduce noise to the south.
Some public comments suggested that the airport move its location or that the Guard change its mission to one that doesn’t require F-35A aircraft. The airport responded that these decisions are outside the scope of the NCP.
Learn more at Part 150 Noise Study msnairport.com/about/noise-abatement/part-150-study
