San Lorenzo Citizens Fighting Airport Noise |
A change in the Airport Reference Code would require a significant increase in the dimensions of the runway safety area, runway object-free area, and runway protection zone around the runway used by jets. Hayward Airport has two runways -- see diagram of runways (PDF file, 127 kB).
Runway 10L/28R: 3,107 x 75 ft, asphalt surface -- used by small, single-engine aircraft.
Runway Object Free Area
What It Is
The runway object-free area (ROFA) is an area surrounding a runway that must be kept free of any objects above ground level. It is intended to provide adequate wing-tip clearance. The Airport Reference Code (ARC) determines the measurements of the RSA.
The Situation at Hayward
The current ARC for the Hayward Airport is B-II. Under ARC B-II the ROFA for runway 10R/28L is 150 feet on either side of the runway and 700 feet beyond each end of the runway.
Under ARC D-II, which the City of Hayward is requesting, the ROFA for runway 10R/28L would be 400 feet wide and 1,000 feet beyond each end of the runway. This requirement would extend the ROFA at one end to include the intersection of Hesperian and West Winton, and at the other end to within about 200 feet of San Lorenzo Village homes.
The planned extension of West A Street would not be allowed through the new ROFA. The alternatives are to tunnel under the ROFA, or to change the course of the A Street extension to avoid the ROFA. This latter alternative means placing the street immediately next to the fence line of San Lorenzo Village homes.
Runway Safety Area
What It Is
A runway safety area (RSA) is a rectangular area centered on the runway that should accommodate aircraft that veer off the runway. It is cleared, drained, graded, and often covered with turf. The Airport Reference Code (ARC) determines the measurements of the RSA.
The Situation at Hayward
Under the existing ARC B-II the safety area for runway 10R/28L is 150 feet wide and extending 300 feet beyond each end of the runway.
Under ARC D-II, which the City of Hayward is requesting, the safety area for runway 10R/28L would be 500 feet wide and extend 1,000 feet beyond each end of the runway.
Runway Protection Zone
What It Is
The runway protection zone (formerly called the "clear zone") is a trapezoidal area at each end of a runway. It is a critical area under the aircraft approach path to a runway and should be kept free of any obstructions.
The Situation at Hayward
For Hayward's runway 10R/28L, the runway protection zone presently extends 1,000 feet from each end of the runway, with an inner width (near the runway end) of 500 feet and an outer width of 700 feet.
Under the desired ARC D-II, the zone would extend 1,700 feet (an additional 700 feet) from each end of the runway, and have an inner width of 500 feet and an outer width of 1,010 feet (310 feet more than existing). The new zone would extend significantly into residential areas at both ends of the runway, including San Lorenzo Village.