Airport FAQs

The FAA does not have the authority to regulate the operations of military aircraft. If you live near a military installation, you should try contacting their noise office or community relations department for more information on their operations in your community.

Helicopters generally fly under visual flight rules (VFR), where they are not under the control of Air Traffic Control (ATC) resulting in ATC not controlling where the helicopter flies.

While some metropolitan areas have defined helicopter routes, many are voluntary and helicopter pilots can deviate from those routes.

You should contact the helicopter operator directly for information regarding the helicopter operations you are experiencing.

If you believe the helicopters were flying unsafely, then this is an issue for your local FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO).

Airport noise issues and concerns near the Gnoss Field Airport can be directed to the County’s Airport Manager: Dan Jensen at (415) 897-1754 or via email.

Important note: If you believe the airplanes were flying unsafely, then this is an issue for your local FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO): FAA Oakland Office, 1420 Harbor Bay Parkway, Alameda, CA 94502. Phone: (510) 748-0122

Aircraft parked overnight on tie-downs will be tagged and fees are $10/night for small aircraft, $15/night for turboprop aircraft, and $20/night for turbine aircraft.

To request a permit to store an aircraft at Gnoss Field, use our Aircraft Storage Permit Form to request a tie-down space on the ramp, a portable hangar or a county hangar. 

People interested in tracking flight activity at Gnoss Field may use several web-based services.

• Aircraft flying on flight plans landing or departing from Gnoss Field can be located using FlightAware, including activity for the previous several days.
• Aircraft tracked by radar may be located using FlightRadar24, including a playback option for the past seven days.
• Radio communication by planes using the Gnoss Field CTAF frequency may be heard on the Internet using LiveATC , including an audio archive of past communications for 30 days.

For information about weather at the airport tune into the AWOS Radio: 12.0675, or call 415-897-2236.

Marin County Airport Gnoss Field is a 24-hour facility without a control tower. View Gnoss Field Airport page to learn more.

According to Federal Aviation Regulation: except when necessary for takeoff or landing, no person may operate an aircraft below the following altitudes:

• Lower than minimum altitudes that will allow an aircraft to make an emergency landing without risking persons or property on the ground.
• Over congested areas: congested area of a city, town, or settlement, or over any open air assembly of persons, an altitude of 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of 2,000 feet of the aircraft.
• Over other than congested areas: an altitude of 500 feet above the surface, except over open water or sparsely populated areas. In those cases, the aircraft may not be operated closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure.
• Helicopters: may be operated at less than the minimums prescribed in the paragraph b or c of this section if the operation is conducted without hazard to persons or property on the surface. In addition, each person operating a helicopter shall comply with any routes or altitudes specifically prescribed for helicopters by the Administrator.