FAA Noise Regulations

Contents

Introduction
Airport Noise and Capacity Act of 1990 (ANCA)
FAR Part 36
FAR Part 91
FAR Part 150
FAR Part 161

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All County owned and operated airports are licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and governed by comprehensive regulations. In this section we highlight a few of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) pertinent to PBIA's noise program. The FARs are under Title 14 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations.

The FAA publishes material of a policy, guidance or informational nature in documents called Advisory Circulars. If you're interested in learning more about what advisory circulars are available through the FAA publishing office, click on the link below.

Click here to go to the FAA Advisory Circular Index and Ordering Information Page.

Click Here to go to the Policy And Regulatory Division web site of the FAA.

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The Airport Noise and Capacity Act of 1990 was a pivotal piece of legislation because it recognized the need for a national aviation noise policy. A critical part of the statute was direction to eliminate the use of Stage 2 aircraft weighing more than 75,000 pounds in the contiguous U.S. after December 31, 1999. The final revision and rules of this act were established in September 1991 as Part 91. Another important element of the noise policy is the Notice and Approval Airport Noise and Access Restrictions, Part 161. This FAR establishes a program for reviewing airport noise and access restrictions on the use of Stage 2 and Stage 3 aircraft.

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Part 36 sets noise standards that aircraft must meet to obtain type and airworthiness certificates for operation in the U.S. First created in 1977 for application to civil subsonic turbojets and large (over 12,500 pounds) propeller-driven aircraft, the government has subsequently amended the regulation to address civil supersonic aircraft, small propeller aircraft (less than or equal to 12,500 pounds), and helicopters. Measurement results for individual aircraft types are provided in companion Advisory Circulars.

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FAR Part 91 limits civil aircraft operations in the U.S. based on Part 36 certification status. The most important aspect of Part 91 is that it led to elimination and ongoing prohibition of all Stage 1 operations in the U.S. in civil subsonic turbojets over 75,000 pounds. The new Part 91 includes a phased schedule to achieve the 1999 Stage 2 operations elimination.

• Part 91 sets forth final rules for the elimination of Stage 2 aircraft weighing more than 75,000 pounds in the contiguous United States after December 31, 1999.
• This was passed in 1990, under the Airport Noise and Capacity Act of 1990.

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This regulation was made in response to the need of setting forth national standards for identifying noise/land use incompatibilities and develop programs to eliminate them. It was established under the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act of 1979.

FAR Part 150 prescribes specific standards and systems for:

• Measuring noise
• Estimating cumulative noise exposure using computer models
• Describing noise exposure (including instantaneous noise levels, single event noise levels, and cumulative exposure)
• Coordinating noise compatibility program development with local land use planning officials and other interested parties
• Documenting the analytical process and development of the compatibility program submitting documentation to the FAA
• FAA and public review processes FAA approval or disapproval of the submission

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Part 161 establishes a program for reviewing airport noise and access restrictions on the use of Stage 2 and Stage 3 aircraft. The FAR requires that airport proprietors examine the impacts of a proposed noise or access restriction within an "airport noise study area". That area must include all property which lies within the Ldn 65 dB contours. Furthermore, in determing whether land use around an airport is compatible with airport noise, an airport proprietor must use the land use compatibility guidelines set forth in FAR Part 150.