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Massport Takes Lead Role In Airplane Noise Debate; Advocates for tough industry noise standards, quieter aircraft

8/17/2000

The Massachusetts Port Authority is representing airports in an international effort to reduce the impact of noise on airport neighbors. The Coalition for a Global Standard on Aviation Noise, chaired by Gerald L. Baliles, former Governor of Virginia, is charged with developing a new aircraft noise standard by September 2001. Massport Aviation Director Thomas J. Kinton, Jr, represented Massport at the coalition's first advisory board meeting held via conference call yesterday.

"This is an opportunity to voice local concerns on an international industry platform," said Massport Aviation Director Thomas J. Kinton, Jr. "We will push for the transition to quieter Chapter 4 aircraft and away from hushkits to get the quietest fleet possible at Logan."

The 30 advisory board members, comprised of airport operators, airlines, aircraft and aircraft engine manufacturers will convene monthly. The next discussion is scheduled for September 20. At least 65 companies have joined the coalition to date.

The coalition will work within a framework of three principles:

Preserving a single global certification standard for noise reduction
Protecting the airlines investment in Stage 3 aircraft
Developing an effective and technically feasible new aircraft noise certification standard

"During my first month on the job I promised residents that Massport would be a leader in reducing airplane noise. The voice of airports and their neighbors must be heard while the aviation industry sets the guidelines for the next generation of aircraft and engines," said Massport Executive Director and CEO Virginia Buckingham. "We want to push the envelope for what can be done to reduce airport noise."

The 30 advisory board members are: AeroMexico, Aeroports de Paris, Airbus, Air France, Airline Pilots Association, All Nippon Airways, American, Boeing, BAA, plc, British Airways, County of San Bernadino Airports, Coalition of Airline Pilots Associations, Delta, FedEx, General Electric, Iberia, Lan-Chile, Lufthansa, Massport, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, Minneapolis/St.Paul Airport, Northwest, Quantas, Rolls-Royce, Snecma, South African Airways, TACA, United, UPS, and United Technologies.

The appointment reflects Massport's national reputation as a leader in minimizing and mitigating airport noise on surrounding residents. Since 1978, Massport has worked with surrounding communities and the FAA to develop flight patterns designed to reduce noise and maximize use of over the water flight paths. Massport even filed an EIS to develop a new departure procedure for 22R to minimize noise over South Boston, Quincy, and Squantum. As a result of Massport efforts, all aircraft taking off from Runways 4R, 9, 15R and 22L and 22R must now head east over Boston Harbor, Broad Sound and the Massachusetts Bay before they are turned back over the shoreline at relatively high altitudes reducing the noise impact for residents.

Massport has also instituted other noise restrictions, including:

Stage 3 Restriction: Only Stage 3 aircraft may operate at Logan between 11:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m.
Nighttime Idle Restrictions: Engine run-ups at greater than idle power are prohibited (unless part of a takeoff procedure) between midnight and 6:00 a.m. anywhere on the airport. Idle power engine run-ups are permitted between midnight and 6:00 am with prior approval only.
Runway Usage Restrictions: Departures on Runway 4L and arrivals on 22R are prohibited between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. At all other times of the day, use of Runway 4L for departures is restricted to aircraft having a noise emissions level on takeoff of 73dBA or less. Arrivals on Runway 22R during non-nighttime periods are restricted to aircraft with a noise emission level on landing of 78dBA or less.

Proposed runway 14/32 will increase take-off and landings over the water and distribute noise more equitably. The new runway will bring noise relief to communities that are currently subjected to a disproportionate amount of airport noise. By allowing air traffic controllers to more equitably distribute flights, the new runway will bring Logan closer to meeting community noise goals. The one-way runway also would shift 75,000 flights a year over the water and away from surrounding communities.