Voluntary Noise Abatement Programs

Noise abatement regulations can be officially adopted into a local ordinance, making it possible to enforce violations and issue fines. However, the 1990 Airport Noise and Capacity Act requires that local noise abatement ordinances be approved by the FAA before they are enacted. As a result, most noise abatement programs are voluntary and rely on information and cooperation to bring about a reduction in noise conflicts. Noise abatement programs have the benefit of involving the public and looking for solutions collectively. They also provide content for communication with the community about the airport’s actions to reduce noise impacts.

These voluntary programs may include:

Creating a Noise Abatement Council: Noise Abatement Councils provide a forum to discuss aircraft noise issues and explore solutions. Membership is likely to include (as applicable) representatives of the airport administration, airport pilots, ATC tower staff, FBO owners, and elected officials from adjacent communities and citizen representatives. While these groups do not act in an official capacity, they can make recommendations for action to the airport owner’s administrator or elected officials. The council can also work to improve the community’s understanding of aircraft noise issues and the actions being taken to address these concerns. A Noise Abatement Council may initiate any of the following programs.

Identifying a Noise Manager and/or an Office of Noise Compatibility: Creating a noise office at the airport and/or assigning responsibility for noise issues to a staff member helps to demonstrate that the airport has a role in working to minimize or reduce noise conflicts.

Creating a Noise Complaint System: A noise complaint system provides residents of communities surrounding airports with a mechanism to register noise complaints. The implementation of a web- or telephone-based system to accept noise complaints lets residents submit comments/complaints about the airport and individual aircraft operations. It also lets concerned residents know that the airport is interested in hearing from them.

Creating a Fly Quiet Program: A Fly Quiet program is a voluntary program to address local noise concerns, educate both local and transit pilots on noise sensitive areas, and develop voluntary noise reduction methods. Many examples of Fly Quiet programs around the country are available through an internet search of “Fly Quiet.”

Resources

  • ORD Fly Quiet Program

    This website has a collection of resource documents related to the Fly Quiet Program at Chicago O’Hare International Airport - a voluntary program that encourages pilots and air traffic controllers to use designated nighttime preferential runways and flight tracks.

  • SFO Fly Quiet Program Video

    This flight crew education video on YouTube describes the SFO Fly Quiet program.

  • NBAA Noise Abatement Program

    The NBAA Noise Abatement Program includes best practices for flight crews, updates to their departure and procedures, and guidance for other aviation stakeholders.

  • TRK Online Noise Complaint Reporting Form

    The Truckee Tahoe Airport website has an option to file a formal noise complaint either online or over the phone.

  • TRK Noise Abatement Videos

    This 8-video series (two per runway) displays the proper landing approaches to receive the most preferred outcome of noise emittance around the surrounding areas of Truckee, CA.

Tools