Helicopter Noise Jim Walker Directorate of Airspace Policy

Civil Aviation Authority  Safety Regulation Group  Regulatory Policy Group  Directorate of Airspace Policy  Consumer Protection Group

 Statutory responsibility: ‘Provision of a focal point for receiving and responding to aircraft related environmental complaints from the general public.’

Regulation – Aviation  Endangerment (Air Navigation Order)  Article 137 – A person must not recklessly or negligently act in a manner likely to endanger an aircraft, or any person in an aircraft.  Article 138 – A person must not recklessly or negligently cause or permit an aircraft to endanger any person or property

Regulation - Aviation  Rules of the Air Regulations 2007  1000ft Rule  500ft Rule  Exemptions

Regulation – Planning  Change of use  Section 106  28-day Rule

Geographical Variation  Issues:  Constant overflight  Individual incidents

Variation by Airfield Type  Licensed Aerodrome  Specific conditions for operation for public transport flights  Unlicensed Aerodrome/Private Site  Other operations; the aerodrome facilities are not regulated, but aircraft operations are.

Noise Characteristics  Fixed Wing  Generally predictable  Rotary Wing  Unpredictable  Rotor movement – noise hot-spots  Lingering exposure

Noise Management  Legal Position:  Civil Aviation Act 1982  Environmental Protection Act 1990  Neighbourhood Noise Act 1996

Noise Management (cont)  Planning Restrictions  Section 106  Noise Abatement Procedures  Voluntary  Flight safety

Noise Management (cont)  Complaints  Response  Relevancy of ‘complaint hotspots’  Socio-economic context

Illustrations (1)  I commute in my helicopter!  Helicopter parked on private property  Within curtilage?  28-day rule  Additional development – concrete landing area or hanger

Illustration (2)  Commercial  Advertising  Press  Sight-seeing

Illustration (3)  Corporate  A to B based upon business need  BHA Guidance

Illustration (4)  (Unusual) Activities  Police  Pipeline/electrical surveys  Geographic Surveys  Military operations

Public Perception  Police/Military Operations  Advertising  Private Use  Corporate

Questions?