Getting to Grips with Aircraft Noise

1 - INTRODUCTION
4
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. BROCHURE ORGANIZATION
The operational context linked to noise restrictions calls for various and numerous
notions related to sound theory. Obviously it is not the purpose of this book to drown the
readers in an enumeration of “barbaric” and daunting equations.
Consequently, and for the sake of an easy reading, the main body of this document is
dedicated to the operational context.
The second part of the brochure acts as a technically detailed inventory of notions and
quantities linked to sound theory, where the sought information can quickly be located
with the help of the index at the end of the booklet.
1.2. BACKGROUND
Among the various environmental concerns, the aircraft noise item has been constantly
growing in importance over the past years.
Indeed, unlike a Mozart’s symphony, airplane noise is one of those sounds which are
undesirable to most of the observers. Its various effects on man, especially on the
people living in the vicinity of civilian and military airfields must be studied to be better
accounted for.
This shall allow the determination and continuous refinement of indices reflecting noise
impact, in order to develop an appropriate noise policy. The latter has the difficult
mission to conciliate both the noise reduction around airfields while not penalizing too
much the airlines operations, that is to say the air transport industry as a whole.
Consequently it is necessary to bear in mind this philosophy of continuously improving
the ways of alleviating the noise exposure in a consensual way, namely the “balanced
approach” concept :
- by adopting an appropriate land use and urban development
- by promoting ways to improve the aircraft design (noise reduction at the
source)
- by establishing specific operating procedures
- by restricting operations (if needed)
The purpose of this document is to provide Airbus operators with a general background
for a better understanding of what is behind the current regulations/recommendations.
Flight Operations Support & Line Assistance
Getting to grips with aircraft noise