Chapter 12 Airport Noise AST 205

Aircraft Noise Complaints Began to really crop up in the 1970’s when the FAA began classifying certain G.A. airports as “reliever” airports Gave Birth to many community action groups out of fear Reliever airports in Indianapolis are- Metro, Mt. Comfort, Executive, Eagle Creek, and Greenwood.

Airports Need Good Community Relations The inherent conflict with many airports is that they need (and the populations wants them) to be near populated areas to survive and grow but these same areas don’t want airport noise We cannot afford to simply say “tough, the airport was here first.” Most always the community is more powerful than the airport.

Dealing with the noise problem has typically involved a 2 fold strategy: 1. Noise abatement- Reducing the noise footprint. 2. Community relations- winning the public.

Noise Abatement 1. Source Control- quieter aircraft as designed by engineers- ie. Mixers for turbojets, longer props for recips. b. Operating Controls- Changing traffic patterns- temp. or permanent Preferred departure paths Power restrictions- Cruise prop. configuration Crossing restrictions

Noise Abatement ctn. Land use controls- a proactive approach usually taken by the airport board to limit the # of noise sensitive activities near the airport: Zoning restrictions Building codes- requiring soundproofing Purchase development rights to nearby land Could involve soundproofing houses/buildings and reselling them Purchasing “Aviation Easements” to titles

Noise Approach #2- Community Relations: In addition to noise abatement activities there is the community relations approach to noise involving- “Selling the virtues of the Airport” 2 approaches Statistical- revenue, tax, salary figures Qualitative Approach- P.R. campaign Profile airport related businesses on TV. Fly a reporter etc. Newspaper articles Also helps to get involved with certain community related organizations Ie. Rotary Club, Lions Club, etc.

FAR 36- Noise Limitations The Airport Noise and Capacity Act of 1990 limits the options available to the airport proprietor to govern the types of aircraft operating from an airport. Most airports have virtually no ability to limit the types of aircraft operating from the airport as long as these aircraft comply with federal guidelines regarding noise emissions. Stage I – early jets- extremely loud Stage II – around 100 db- older 727’s 737’s Stage III- New jets- i.e. 777, 757 and retrofitted older jets such as 727 with hush kit. Avg. 90 db- (10 quieter than stage II). Incorporate the latest noise reduction technology. * All Stage I and Stage II aircraft over 75,000 lbs. are prohibited from flight within the continental U. S. This prohibition does not apply to Stage II aircraft weighing less than 75,000 lbs.

Noise ctn. Discussions are currently beginning which may lead to a new Stage IV classification. This new classification would sub-divide the Stage III classification. The quietest of the current Stage III fleet would be reclassified as Stage IV and the loudest of the current Stage III aircraft would remain as Stage III. The reclassified Stage III aircraft would eventually be phased out of operation.

Assignment: *You are the manager of an FBO whose major income is from subcontract freight operations that are the most active from dusk to dawn (night). You are present at the local airport board meeting and are preparing to issue your response to the opponent group’s demands that you pursue a business model that can be carried out during the day. They want to limit operations at the airport from 10 p.m. until 7 a.m. to emergency use only. Using whatever fictional facts & figures you want, you are to convince this group of the importance of your FBO to the community. Prepare your response. (1 pg.) (See next pg. also)

Assignment ctn. - Vocal Opponent #1- His three year old daughter has a sleep disorder and aircraft noise causes her to get little or no sleep some nights. - Vocal Opponent #2- Test scores for local grade school children have suffered due to the inability to concentrate on homework. - Vocal Opponent #3- Home property values have fallen steadily during the last five years due to constant noise. - Vocal Opponent #4- Cites a recent medical study which states that exposure to steady interruptive noise leads to an increased risk for long term adverse psychological impacts.