FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Like most commercial airports in the US, MVY operates 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. There is no mandatory nighttime curfew at MVY. However, MVY has developed voluntary night flight curfews that help mitigate aircraft noise over residential areas. 

No, MVY and Towns do not have the legal authority to levy a fine or otherwise penalize an aircraft operator for the amount of noise an aircraft makes.

The prevailing wind at the runway determines the initial direction of flight. Obstructions such as buildings, fences, and trees will diminish wind effects in the surrounding neighborhoods; however, on the open area of the airport, wind at six knots or more usually make it necessary for aircraft to take off into the wind.

Just about everything an aircraft does, including the noise it makes, is affected by the weather. Aircraft climb more slowly in warm weather, making operations louder on the ground. On cloudy days, the noise from aircraft rebounds down to the earth’s surface from the bottom of the clouds, making it louder. On windy days, aircraft noise carries further at ground level.

Commercial pilots fly prescribed routes and general aviation pilots also fly prescribed routes as well as visual flight procedures (VFR) to and from MVY as instructed by air traffic controllers. The FAA is responsible for managing our airspace and for ensuring the safe and expeditious flow of traffic. The Martha's Vineyard Airport is responsible for operating and maintaining airport facilities and for ensuring that runways (and taxiways and other facilities) are in good working conditions, meet FAA regulations and are available for use.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has the sole authority in determining where aircraft will fly and how the airport will operate. These decisions are made solely on standard air traffic control procedures. Noise complaints are not considered when making these decisions. However, considerable time and effort are spent on a quarterly basis in handling and analyzing complaints.

Arriving aircraft at low altitudes are generally quieter than departures of the same aircraft type because the landing requires much less engine power. However, close to the airport, the relative “quietness” of an arrival may be offset by the fact that aircraft are typically lower in altitude than departures over the same location.

Only one complaint will be accepted; multiple complaints and ranges of times will not be accepted. Each complaint should include name, address, email address, phone number, date and time of disturbance, and a detailed description of the disturbance. One-word statements will be recorded but not responded to. Obscene language and threats will result in the complaint not being accepted, plus possible legal action.

The FAA (Air Traffic Control (ATC)), not MVY, has sole authority and responsibility for routing and separating aircraft throughout the national airspace system. ATC's first priority is always the safe and efficient separation and routing of aircraft throughout the national airspace system.

 Martha's Vineyard Airport opened in 1942 by the US Navy and was handed over to the County of Dukes County in 1959 as a public airport, and has experienced ebbs and flows in service based on customer demand and cultural changes. A majority of the residential developments around the airport were built long after the airport, and even today, new residential development and redevelopment continue in the surrounding area. 

Med-Flight or the United States Coast Guard aircraft routinely transport patients from Martha's Vineyard to area hospitals on the mainland at any hour of the day or night. Helicopters may fly directly to Martha's Vineyard Hospital, or, depending on weather conditions, helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft may fly to the airport for patient transport or refueling.

No. 

The FAA does not have the authority to regulate the operations of military aircraft. Aircraft from all branches of the military may transit the area to nearby bases or conduct  training at the airport