7.2 The Airport and the Environment

 

When discussing the environmental impact of airports, it would be simple to focus on either water contamination or air pollution. But in terms of the airport and surrounding environment, noise pollution is a one-of-a-kind and highly contentious issue due to its widespread prevalence. It is funny because aircraft noise regulation was my topic of choice during last week's writing assignment so I am going to talk about it again one more time since I already did my scholarly research.

 

The nature of air travel experiences became easier and more economical as airplanes became more popular and widespread. While there are many benefits to flying, aviation noise can be a cause of concern for communities. The aviation sector is hampered by the fact that airplanes produce noise. While calculating the real health impact of noise pollution is complex, determining the total impact on the local/surrounding community is quite straightforward. As technology advances and people lead more active lives, it is common to find airports in the heart of a bustling city, town, or residential region, which can create enormous logistical headaches for airport management, especially as airplanes and engines grow larger and faster.

 In the United States, to help mitigate these concerns, the FAA has regulated standards concerning aircraft noise such as the policies laid out in 14 CFR part 36: Noise Standards- Aircraft type and Airworthiness Certifications, which covers the limits, calculations, and regulations designed to limit noise disruption over these developed areas (e-CFR, 2021). Another option is through operational factors such as runway restrictions at certain times of the day or specific airfield operating hours. While it will be exciting to observe how engineers might decrease noise pollution as technology advances, this is a continuous process that is beyond the airport manager's control.

 Reference

NOISE STANDARDS: AIRCRAFT TYPE AND AIRWORTHINESS CERTIFICATION. (2021, August 6). E-Cfr. https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=f7ef78e7f8b27da92b66fdec475acea0&mc=true&node=pt14.1.36&rgn=div5