Aircraft Noise: Manchester vs Nashua
How do aircraft noise rules compare between Manchester, NH and Nashua, NH?
Manchester and Nashua have similar restriction levels.
Manchester, NH
Hillsborough County
Aircraft noise in New Hampshire is preempted by federal law under the Federal Aviation Act, meaning neither the state nor municipalities can regulate flight operations, altitudes, or in-flight noise levels.
View full Manchester rules →Nashua, NH
Hillsborough County
Aircraft-in-flight noise is preempted by the Federal Aviation Administration under the Airport Noise and Capacity Act of 1990 (49 U.S.C. 47521 et seq.). Boire Field / Nashua Municipal Airport (FAA identifier ASH / ICAO KASH), at 93 Perimeter Road in northwest Nashua, is operated by the Nashua Airport Authority. The FAA determined that the airport's FAR Part 150 Noise Exposure Maps are in compliance with applicable requirements effective April 29, 2009. Nashua Chapter 201 contains no aircraft-noise provisions. The airport publishes voluntary noise-abatement procedures favoring Runway 32 as the preferential runway, with Runway 14 departures climbing on runway heading to 1,000 feet MSL before turning over the F.E. Everett Turnpike.
View full Nashua rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Manchester | Nashua |
|---|---|---|
| Preempting authority | Federal FAA | - |
| State statute | RSA Chapter 422 | - |
| Local authority | None for in-flight operations | - |
| Complaint route | FAA or airport | - |
| Curfews | Require FAA Part 161 approval | - |
| Local Aircraft Noise Rule | - | None - federally preempted (FAA / ANCA 1990) |
| Airport | - | Boire Field / Nashua Municipal Airport (ASH / KASH), 93 Perimeter Road |
| Operator | - | Nashua Airport Authority |
| FAA Part 150 NEM Status | - | Compliant effective April 29, 2009 |
| Preferential Runway | - | Runway 32 |
| Runway 14 Departure Procedure | - | Climb runway heading to 1,000 MSL if able, turn on course over F.E. Everett Turnpike |
| Light Aircraft Pattern Altitude | - | 1,200 MSL |
| Turbine/Heavy Pattern Altitude | - | 1,700 MSL |
| Complaint Channel | - | Nashua Airport Authority / FAA Part 150 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Manchester FAQ
Can a New Hampshire town ban late-night flights?
No. Federal law preempts municipal regulation of aircraft operations. Only airport proprietors may impose limited restrictions, and only with FAA Part 161 approval.
Where do I report aircraft noise issues?
File complaints directly with the airport authority or the FAA Regional Office. Local police and code enforcement have no jurisdiction over aircraft noise.
Does New Hampshire regulate airport ground noise?
Limited ground-based activities like engine run-ups may be addressed through environmental rules, but flight operations remain under exclusive federal control.
Nashua FAQ
Does Nashua, NH have an aircraft noise ordinance?
No. Aircraft-in-flight noise is regulated exclusively by the FAA under the Airport Noise and Capacity Act of 1990 (49 U.S.C. 47521 et seq.) and 49 U.S.C. 40103, and Nashua Chapter 201 (Noise) contains no aircraft-noise provisions. Boire Field / Nashua Municipal Airport (ASH / KASH) at 93 Perimeter Road is operated by the Nashua Airport Authority. The airport's FAA Part 150 Noise Exposure Maps are in compliance with federal requirements effective April 29, 2009. The Authority publishes voluntary noise-abatement procedures - Runway 32 is the preferential runway, Runway 14 departures climb on runway heading to 1,000 feet MSL before turning over the F.E. Everett Turnpike. Light-aircraft pattern altitude is 1,200 MSL; turbine and heavy aircraft 1,700 MSL.
Who do I call about aircraft noise over Nashua?
Submit aircraft-noise complaints directly to the Nashua Airport Authority, which operates Boire Field (ASH / KASH) at 93 Perimeter Road. Nashua Police cannot cite aircraft for in-flight noise because the FAA holds exclusive jurisdiction over flight operations under the Airport Noise and Capacity Act of 1990. For community-wide mitigation, the federal mechanism is the FAA Part 150 Noise Compatibility Program process - Nashua's Part 150 Noise Exposure Maps were FAA-approved effective April 29, 2009. Manchester-Boston Regional (MHT) overflights and Boston Logan / Hanscom approaches are operated by their respective airports and the FAA.
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