Noise
The FAA Office of Environment and Energy Noise Division supports AEE’s vision to remove environmental constraints on aviation growth by achieving quiet, clean, and efficient air transportation. The Noise Division portfolio is supporting this vision through a broad range of efforts to develop research policy regarding aircraft noise certification, impacts, and reduction.
For more information about aviation noise and our noise-related programs, visit the pages below.
How to Make a Noise Complaint
For information about how to make a noise complaint, visit the pages below.
- Contact the airport first to make a complaint
- If you need further assistance, submit a complaint through the FAA Noise Portal.
- Find more information regarding aviation noise concerns
FAA Noise Policy and Guidance
For more information about FAA Noise Policy and Guidance, see the links below.
- Code of Federal Regulations, Part 36: Noise Standards: Aircraft Type and Airworthiness Certification
- Noise certification of Unmanned Aircraft (UA)
- Noise certification of Unmanned Aircraft (UA)
- Information about the Aircraft Noise Certification Historical Database
- Information about airport noise including airport noise combability planning and airport noise and access restrictions
- Overview of FAA Aircraft Noise Policy and Research Efforts Request for Input on Research Activities To Inform Aircraft Noise Policy
- Report to Congress on an evaluation of alternative noise metrics
FAA Noise-related Tools, Research and Development
The Environment and Energy Noise Division is supporting the development of a comprehensive suite of analytical tools to quantify the environmental consequences and impacts of aviation. At the center of these analytical tools is the Aviation Environmental Design Tool (AEDT), which can quantify the noise, fuel burn and emissions resulting from all aspects of aircraft operations. More information about AEDT and the Aviation Environmental Tools Suite Research and Development Portfolio is available at the links below:
- Aviation Environmental Design Tool (AEDT)
- Research and Development Portfolio: Aviation Environmental Tools Suite
The Noise Division also supports research through the Aviation Sustainability Center (ASCENT), the FAA’s Center of Excellence (COE) for Alternative Jet Fuels and Environment
New Entrants
The FAA Office of Environment and Energy, in close collaboration with industry, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and international partners through ICAO CAEP, is providing the technical basis for a review and possible modification of existing regulations to enable the development and growth of supersonic air transportation.
Efforts will also help the FAA understand the noise that is generated by unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and advanced air mobility (AAM) vehicles, which are sometimes referred to as electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles. These activities will provide the foundation the FAA requires to address certification and standards for noise before these vehicles enter service as well as to develop operational procedures concepts that could reduce their noise. This work will help ensure that FAA has adequate information to establish any needed environmental policy regarding the certification and operation of these aircraft.
Additional Noise Information
FAA Policies, Regulations, Programs, and Funding Sources:
- Excerpts from 1976 Aviation Noise Abatement Policy
- Overview of 14 CFR Part 150 Airport Noise Compatibility Planning Program
- 14 CFR Part 150 Regulation: Airport Noise Compatibility Planning
- Overview of FAA Policy on Part 150 Approval of Noise Mitigation Measures
- Final Policy on Part 150 Approval of Noise Mitigation Measures
FAA Guidance Materials
- Land Use Compatibility and Airports, A Guide for Effective Land Use Planning
- Advisory Circular 150/5020-1, Noise Control and Compatibility Planning for Airports
- Land Use Planning Process Flowchart
- FAR Part 150 Process
- Aviation Noise Demonstration System (ANDS), and Land-based Classification Standards (LBCS)