Basic Policy Principles

• Because aircraft noise adversely affects a significant portion of the nation's population, a nationwide commitment, involving federal, local and private resources, is required to reduce the impact of aviation noise on the people who live in areas surrounding airports.

• Public understanding is essential to an effective program to reduce aircraft noise so that we do not raise the expectations of airport neighbors for noise reductions beyond the levels which technology and reasonable cost-effectiveness make possible.

• Each of the participants in the noise abatement effort -- the airport users, aircraft manufacturers, the airport proprietors, federal, state and local governments, and residents in communities surrounding airports -- must take specific steps that are essential in reducing the number of people adversely affected by noise and the severity of the effect on all people.

• Planning and acting in coordination, each of these parties should move toward the goal of confining severe aircraft noise exposure levels around U.S. airports to the areas included within the airport boundary or over which the airport has a legal interest, and of reducing substantially the number and extent of areas receiving noise exposure levels that interfere with human activity.

• The Federal Government has the authority and responsibility to control aircraft noise by the regulation of source emissions, by flight operational procedures, and by management of the air traffic control and navigable airspace in ways that minimize noise impact on residential areas, consistent with the highest standards of safety. The federal government also provides financial and technical assistance to airport proprietors for noise reduction planing and abatement activities and, working with the private sector, conducts continuing research into noise abatement technology.

• Airport Proprietors are primarily responsible for planning and implementing action designed to reduce the effect of noise on residents of the surrounding area. Such actions include optimal site location, improvements in airport design, noise abatement ground procedures, land acquisition, and restrictions on airport use that do not unjustly discriminate against any user, impede the federal interest in safety and management of the air navigation system, or unreasonably interfere with interstate or foreign commerce.

• State and Local Governments and Planning Agencies must provide for land use planning and development, zoning, and housing regulation that will limit the uses of land near airports to purposes compatible with airport operations.

• The Air Carriers are responsible for retirement, replacement, or retrofit of older jets that do not meet federal noise level standards, and for scheduling and flying airplanes in a way that minimizes the impact of noise on people.

• Air Travelers and Shippers generally should bear the cost of noise reduction, consistent with established federal economic and environmental policy that the adverse environmental consequences of a service or product should be reflected in its price.

• Residents and Prospective Residents in areas surrounding airports should seek to understand the noise problem and what steps can be taken to minimize its effect on people. Individual and community responses to aircraft noise differ substantially and, for some individuals, a reduced level of noise may not eliminate the annoyance or irritation. Prospective residents of areas impacted by airport noise thus should be aware of the effect of noise on their quality of life and act accordingly.

To obtain a copy of the complete Aviation Noise Abatement Policy document dated November 18, 1976, send written correspondence to:

Federal Aviation Administration

Office of Environment and Energy

AEE-300

800 Independence Avenue, S.W.

Washington, D.C. 20591