Future reductions in aircraft noise will only be possible if airspace restrictions change to accommodate advanced aircraft operational techniques, environmental experts concluded last week.
At the Greener by Design Aviation and the Environment conference at the UK’s Royal Aeronautical Society last week, Geoff Maynard, chairman of the operational sub-group, said airspace reform is crucial if noise-reduction techniques more advanced than continuous descent approach (CDA) are to work. CDA has been adopted in many European airports, leading to reductions in noise of around 4dB, but in busy corridors greater extension is unlikely due to congestion. The group is studying methods including crosswind/tailwind landings, non-precision approaches to runways that avoid residential areas, noise abatement take-offs, noise-preferential routeings, steeper landings and displaced threshold landings, but says that safety concerns, aircraft design and pilot training will need to be addressed before they can be adopted. All methods rely on different uses of airspace, including variable separation minima and more precise routing to work effectively, said Maynard.
“There are many significant opportunities for noise reduction, but many involve the redesign of airspace, especially in areas such as the south east of England. They also require rethinks of aircraft certification, air traffic control and pilot training,” he said. But he added that it will be possible to keep noise contours within existing levels if new operational techniques are allowed, even accounting for a growth in air transport.
CDA requires additional controller workload to judge the aircraft position and give clearance sooner than staged approach, but noise preferential routeings and noise abatement take-offs could lead to slower aircraft being caught up by faster jets, using current control methods.
JUSTIN WASTNAGE/LONDON
Source: Flight International
