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Airport

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1. How can I book a flight from Buchanan Field?

Buchanan Field now has scheduled charter service provided by JSX with daily flights to Burbank, CA. For more information, please visit their website at www.jsx.com.

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2. Is Buchanan Field close to Bay Area transportation?

Yes. Buchanan Field has convenient access to I-680 and Highway 4; both of which are major freeways in the Bay Area. If you plan to fly to Buchanan Field, car rentals are available on the east side of Buchanan Field. If you plan to stay at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, located on Airport property, the hotel provides a free shuttle to the BART train and other major transportation centers. A County Connection bus line also runs adjacent to the west and east entrances to Buchanan Field.

3. How can I voice a concern or make a suggestion about improving Buchanan Field or Byron Airport?

The Aviation Advisory Committee is one forum for voicing opinions and concerns. The committee typically meets on the second Thursday of each month at the Director of Airports Office at 550 Sally Ride Drive in Concord, CA. Meetings are open to the general public and include a public comment period. You may also email your concern or suggestion to Airports staff by completing an Airports Feedback Form, which may be found on the Noise Management Page.

4. What is Contra Costa County Airports doing to address aircraft noise?

Buchanan Field is one of only a few airports in California to have adopted a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) authorized noise ordinance which limits operating hours for flight training and prohibits airplanes that exceed 78 dBA, per FAA Advisory Circular 36-3. Airports staff maintains regular communication with pilots based at Buchanan Field regarding the Noise Management Program, aircraft specific noise abatement procedures, community feedback, and encourages its pilots to avoid flying over neighboring communities whenever possible. The Aviation Advisory Committee (AAC) provides the public a forum for which to voice opinions and concerns on airport matters. Please visit the Buchanan Field Noise Program website under Community Resources on this website for more information.

5. Can't you tell the plane that is flying over my residence to go somewhere else?

Once an aircraft has left the ground, it is in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) jurisdiction. For the safety of both pilots and the community, only the FAA can direct an aircraft to change altitude or flight path and use certain runways. This direction is often based on wind and weather conditions that may vary throughout the day. While Airports staff cannot direct a plane to change direction, communication with pilots regarding community concerns is ongoing. If you notice an aircraft flying objectionably low or loud, we value your feedback. You may submit an Airport Feedback Form, which can be found on the Community Resources: Noise Management page.

6. What is the curfew for airplanes to arrive and depart at Buchanan Field?

Buchanan Field is a federally regulated 24-hour public use facility, so there is no curfew for arrivals or departures. However, the Contra Costa County Airports Noise Ordinance does limit flight training and touch-and-go operations to the to 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM Monday through Friday and 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM on weekends and holidays. In addition, the Ordinance restricts airplanes exceeding 75 dBA, per the Federal Aviation Administration Advisory Circular 36-3, from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM.

7. There seems to be more and more noise coming from Buchanan Field. Have the number of flights increased recently?

Aviation activity varies depending on weather and economic factors and typically increases in spring and summer months due to the good weather. Buchanan Field averages approximately 120,000 operations (take-off or landings) per year. The peak use of Buchanan Field in the last 30 years was in 1990 when the Airport had over 300,000 operations and was home to a commercial airline and a helicopter flight training school. Annual operations decreased during the recent recession—hitting a 25 year low in 2012—but have rebounded along with the economy. For a graph of operations by year, please click on the Buchanan Field Annual Operations link found on the Buchanan Field (CCR) page of this website.

8. How is Contra Costa County Airports marketing itself to remain competitive in the General Aviation airport market?

Airports staff is working on a series of planned informational videos to inform the general public about the benefits provided by Buchanan Field and Byron Airports and encourage pilots and prospective tenants to consider basing their aircraft at the Airports. The first video, Touch Down in the Bay Area, was completed in late 2014 and the second video, Learning to Fly, was completed in 2016. Learning to Fly focused on the process of earning a pilot’s license, and the various services and programs based at Contra Costa County Airports that make that goal easier to attain. Airports staff is also constantly improving the website to improve usability and functionality, including news and event features that users may subscribe to and remain apprised of current issues and events at the Airports. Airports staff has convened the Economic Development Incentive Program, a working group of the Airports’ stakeholders, to help prioritize projects and programs that will best market the Buchanan Field and Byron Airport.

9. How can I report a pilot performing aerobatic maneuvers near residential developments? What is Airports staff doing to address this issue?

Once an aircraft has left the ground, it is in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) jurisdiction. Pilots that are flying low and/or unsafe may be reported directly to the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) by calling (510) 748-0122. You may also notify Airports staff by submitting an Airports Feedback Form. FAA regulations do allow for aerobatic aircraft operations in an area south of the City of Antioch and to the west of the City of Brentwood. While it is unlikely the aircraft are originating from Buchanan Field and/or Byron Airport, Airports staff has responded by sending out notices to all of its tenants at Buchanan Field and Byron Airports requesting that pilots not perform aerobatic operations near residential developments. An outreach was also sent to other Bay Area airports to provide the notice to their tenants of the community feedback Airports staff has received. This is an on-going task, and your sustained input and support is key to this community-wide process.

10. Are tours of Buchanan Field available to the public?

Yes. Typically, tours consist of 5-20 children and a maximum of one chaperone per three children. To schedule a tour, please visit our Airport Tour Program page under Community Resources and click on “Schedule a Tour” to fill out the application form.

11. Can I reserve the Public Viewing Plaza for a private event?

The Public Viewing Plaza is located at the end of John Glenn Drive in Concord and is available on a first come, first serve basis. It is not currently available to reserve for exclusive gatherings. The Plaza has three shaded picnic tables, several small play structures and a painted runway map for children. Live FAA communications with pilots are also broadcast via loud speaker for an exciting viewing experience. 

Note: If you plan to hold a gathering at the Public Viewing Plaza, please refrain from bringing balloons or other things that might cause problems for aircraft operating at the Airport.

12. If I rent space at Buchanan Field or Byron Airport, can I pay my bill online?

Yes. ePay was made available in 2014, which allows County hangar and tie-down tenants to pay their invoices online using a bank account or credit card. A link to ePay is available on the Airports Home page of this website on the right-hand side under Quick Links.Contra Costa County ePay system is no longer accepting payments.

13. I am a pilot planning on flying to Buchanan Field. Where can I find information on Noise Abatement Procedures and preferred runways?

Thank you for visiting us! The Noise Management Program with noise abatement procedures and AirNav information for Buchanan Field is available on the Buchanan Field (CCR) page of this website.

14. Is flight training available at the County Airports?

Yes! For flight training, please contact one of the Buchanan Field’s Fixed Based Operators by visiting the "Airport Businesses" link on the Buchanan Field (CCR) page of this website.

15. What types of fuel are available at Buchanan Field and Byron Airports?

Buchanan Field has 100 Low Lead and Jet A fuel available offered by the Fixed Based Operators (FBO). More information on the FBO's may be found on the Airport Businesses link on the Buchanan Field (CCR) page of this website. Byron Airport (C83) has 100 Low Lead fuel available at a 24-hour self-service station, located south of the administrative building and current pricing is available on the Byron Airport (C83) page.

16. If there is no vacancy for hangars, why aren’t Buchanan Field and Byron Airport building more hangar space?

For information on development, please visit “Doing Business with the Airport” on the Airports Administration page of this website. Due to government contracting processes and prevailing wage requirements, the total development cost is approximately 30% higher for the County Airports to develop hangar space. The resultant rent to cover the development costs would be considerably higher than the market rate. The County Airports has focused on public/private partnerships as an alternative, to bring hangar space about more economically. Airports staff is also exploring costs and feasibility of other options for providing lower cost hangar space.

17. Is skydiving available at Buchanan Field or Byron Airports?

Yes. Skydiving is available at Byron Airport by contacting Bay Area Skydiving (see "Airport Businesses" link on the Byron Airport (C83) page of this website).

18. Where can I find information and rules regarding unmanned aircraft systems/drones?

There are separate rules for recreational, public entity, or business uses of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or drones as they are often called. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) website pertaining to UAS policies is available at www.faa.gov/uas. The "Know Before You Fly" campaign is another informational resource; available at www.knowbeforeyoufly.org.