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How does the FAA regulate aircraft noise?

The FAA regulates the maximum noise level that an individual civilian aircraft can emit through requiring aircraft to meet noise certification standards.

For transport category aircraft and helicopters, these standards designate changes in maximum noise level requirements by "stage" designation.

The U.S. noise standards are defined in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 14 Part 36 - Noise Standards: Aircraft Type and Airworthiness Certification (14 CFR Part 36). Please visit the Aircraft Noise Levels & Stages page to learn more.