Federal actions on control noise from airport operation

The problem of aircraft noise impacts in communities from the operation of airports is addressed from two perspectives: federal actions to establish mechanisms to control noise and actions by airport proprietors to develop noise control programs. Aircraft noise from the operation of civil airports became a community problem with the introduction of first-generation passenger jets such as the Boeing 707 and the Douglas DC-8. Federal Aviation Regulation Part 36 set source limits for new jet aircraft. However, there was no broadly accepted information about the compatibility of environmental noise and community activities and no uniform method to reduce impacts of aircraft noise until further federal action. The U.S. EPA published compatibility information under mandates of the Noise Control Act of 1972 (NCA72). The Federal Aviation Administration promulgated procedures for development and implementation of Noise Compatibility Programs for Airports as Federal Aviation Regulation Part 150 (FAR Part 150) in 1981. The effectiveness of programs developed by airport proprietors under FAR Part 150 is addressed as are the reactions of aircraft operators to concerns that airport programs could adversely impact their ability to conduct business. Congressional actions to limit actions by airport proprietors are also considered as are current regulatory issues.