ICAO 10177 PDF

FOREWORD

This manual identifies and reviews various operational opportunities and techniques for minimizing noise in civil aviation operations. It is intended to be used in conjunction with the Guidance on the Balanced Approach to Aircraft Noise Management (Doc 9829) and expands on and offers further guidance on one of the principal elements of the Balanced Approach - "Noise Abatement Operational Procedures," as outlined in Doc 9829.

The information contained in this manual has been assembled by the ICAO Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP) and provides background on current practices that are available to aircraft operators, airport operators, air navigation services providers (ANSPs), other industry organizations and States to reduce aircraft noise impacts from civil air transport. It also highlights recent opportunities resulting from emerging technologies and considers what advances may become available in the near future that the aerospace manufacturing industry and airspace service providers are currently developing. The manual is therefore aimed at airlines, airport operators, air traffic management and air traffic control service providers, airworthiness authorities, environmental agencies as well as other government bodies and interested parties.

It should be noted that this manual is not intended as a basis for regulatory action and the choice of which operational procedure is appropriate depends upon many factors other than noise benefits, as highlighted in the interdependencies section.

Safety must always be the overriding consideration in all civil aviation operations and the operator, in conjunction with the operating crew, must ultimately exercise their judgment in tactical application of noise reducing practices during operations while maintaining the necessary safety margins.

The objectives of this manual are to:

a) document current industry experience to minimize aircraft noise exposure through operational measures;

b) identify opportunities where practicable and operationally safe to do so that could result in measurable noise impact reductions;

c) highlight emerging technology that, when used, could result in reductions in operational noise impacts;

d) demonstrate that a more efficient use of infrastructure is an effective means of reducing civil aviation noise impacts and therefore promote enhanced use of the capabilities inherent in existing aircraft, ground service equipment and infrastructure, including airspace management; and

e) highlight the importance of stakeholder collaboration to address operational changes that impact community noise exposure.

The opportunities and issues are addressed in this manual in a generic way but include practical examples where they are available. Wherever possible, a general indication of the magnitude of the benefits is also given.

Collaborative efforts are paramount in any operational improvement initiative. Before specific changes to aircraft operations are introduced, it is necessary for proponents to consult with the operators, regulators, aircraft and engine manufacturers, the supporting ANSP, the airport operator and community representatives about the potential benefits and technical limitations of such changes. Before contemplating any changes to infrastructure, it is also advisable to carry out a more general consultation and environmental review as may be required with the major aviation stakeholders and those who will be affected by the changes.

KEY CONSIDERATIONS

For environmental, economic and efficiency reasons, the commercial aviation industry has already developed and implemented many techniques to reduce aircraft noise. There has been steady progress in making aircraft and airport operations quieter, but it takes time for technological advancements in aircraft and engine design to be certified and then spread through the fleet. Changes to operating procedures or improvements to airport, airspace and ATM infrastructure may offer significant and more immediate ways of reducing noise impacts.

While this manual is focused on reducing aircraft noise, the primary concern for all operations is safety. Safety standards must not be compromised by any of the changes made in the interest of aircraft noise impact reduction.

All decisions regarding changes to operational procedures depend on the specific situation (such as weather, equipment and facilities) associated with each flight, aircraft and crew. It should be noted that not all techniques identified may be practical or even possible, to incorporate into the majority of flights and individual operators may already have incorporated several of them into their current operations. Whenever possible, standard (arrival and departure) procedures should aim to minimize noise impacts.

Annex 16 - Environmental Protection, Volume I - Aircraft Noise states that ".operating procedures for noise abatement shall be developed in consultation with operators that use the aerodrome concerned." Implementation of operational opportunities and techniques should consider airport and air traffic constraints, operational requirements and individual operator circumstances on a given flight.

Many operational opportunities require collaboration and cooperation among all civil aviation stakeholders and communities. Stakeholder collaboration is essential to ensure that potential changes to equipment, procedures and practices for noise abatement are effective, safe, reliable and cost-efficient. The ICAO Balanced Approach and Community Engagement for Aviation Environmental Management (Circular 351) further promote public education, information dissemination and information exchange among the airport, aircraft operators, ANSPs, regulators and local communities in order to explain the context of new procedures and current and future environmental, social and economic benefits and impacts.

A final consideration is the management of potential interdependencies (both trade-offs and synergies) that can exist between noise and emission (and fuel burn with associated CO2 emissions) goals in the vicinity of airports as well as non- environmental interdependencies such as airport and airspace capacity and operating costs. Potential operational developments need to be assessed in the context of the forecast increase in air travel demand for the future and the resultant air traffic growth. Changes in air traffic volume may affect noise exposure and influence operational decisions related to aircraft noise impacts.

Comments on this manual, particularly with respect to its application and usefulness, and relevant examples would be appreciated. These will be taken into account in the preparation of subsequent editions and should be addressed to: