Aviation Noise
FAA fact sheets
Aviation enables Americans to move safely and freely, with almost 3 million passengers flying in and out of U.S. airports every day. Noise from aircraft, however, may disturb those living or working near airports. The goal of this website is to inform you about aviation noise and the FAA's ongoing work to improve our understanding of the ways aviation noise may affect communities.
Over the last 40 years, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been working to reduce the number of Americans exposed to aviation noise around airport communities. Since the mid-1970's, the number of people exposed to significant aviation noise exposure in the U.S. has declined from roughly seven million to just over 400,000 today. At the same time, the number of enplanements – one person flying on a single commercial flight – has increased from approximately 200 million in 1975 to over 850 million today. In 1975, one person on the ground experienced significant noise exposure for every 30 enplanements. Today, more than 2,100 enplanements are flown for every person on the ground experiencing significant noise exposure.
Even with this success, however, aviation noise remains a concern for many communities. The FAA continues to improve its means of understanding and reducing the effects of aircraft noise exposure.
Quieter aircraft
The single most influential factor in the decrease in exposure to aviation noise was the transition to quieter aircraft. Following the framework established by 14 CFR Part 36, the FAA has adopted increasingly stringent noise certification standards for new aircraft. These certification standards combined with the development of new technology by aircraft and engine manufacturers; investments by U.S. airlines in newer, quieter aircraft; and mandates by the FAA and the U.S. Congress to retire older, noisier aircraft have all worked to reduce the areas around airports experiencing significant noise levels. Today's civilian aircraft are quieter than at any time in the history of powered flight.
Noise exposure reduction
Another major factor in decreasing exposure to aviation noise has been the cooperation among airports, airlines and other aircraft operators, state and local governments, and communities to reduce the number of people living near airports with significant aircraft noise levels. Through airport noise compatibility planning, local jurisdictions are encouraged to make local planning and zoning decisions that prevent new residential development in areas exposed to significant levels of aircraft noise. Subject to eligibility requirements, the FAA also issues grants through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) to airport operators and units of local government to fund projects to sound-insulate homes, schools, and healthcare facilities.
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