A LITTLE HISTORY + WHO BENEFITS FROM AIRPORT ACTIVITY
If you notice aircraft noise, you're likely less than 5 miles from the airport and directly east or west.
Most of the noise complaints people have are generated from jet arrivals and departures. The runway that will always be most used is 9L/27R (pronounced nine left two-seven right). This is one runway. This runway is laid out according to the compass: the runway number is 9 which represents a compass heading of 090 degrees and is what a pilot will be looking at when they depart. Pilots want to take off into the wind and the predominant wind in this part of Florida is out of the east (070 to 090 degrees). Link to airport information. Runway 9L/27R is the biggest, strongest and widest runway, and the runway with the most aids to navigation for a pilot. This runway was selected long ago to receive the the most navigational assets. Also, having the jets use that runway allows for the round and round practice of "pattern traffic", flight school activity on the other parallel runway, runway 9R/27L. This way of operating increases the number of airplanes that can use the airport at the same time.
Everyone who works at the airport shares financially in the growth of airport traffic. Most have their profits or salaries directly tied to the the count of airplanes that arrive and depart. Therefore, it is in the best interests of all there to look to always increase airport activity. If you wish to do deep research on historical airport activity, here is a link to FAA Air Traffic Acitivity Report Maker. For purposes of the Report Maker and elsewhere, Sanford Air Traffic Tower is designated as SFB (or KSFB). Central Florida Tracon is designated as F11. Orlando Tower is designated as MCO (or KMCO).