SR-100-002 (5)
RMD:EDD:MR:DM:F:RESOURCE\STAFFREPORTS\Int’l Aircraft Noise Standards.doc
City Council Meeting: September 11, 2001 Santa Monica, California
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Recommendation to Adopt a Resolution Urging the Approval of Effective
Stage IV Aircraft Noise Reduction Standards by the International Civil
Aviation Organization and the Federal Aviation Administration
Introduction
This report recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution urging the approval of
effective Stage IV aircraft noise reduction standards by the International Civil Aviation
Organization (ICAO) and the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Background
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which represents 185 nations, has
been involved in the establishment of international airport noise standards since the
1960's. The United States is an ICAO member and treaty signatory and, as such,
adopts the standards established by ICAO. These standards are reflected in FAA Part
36, the regulations governing aircraft requirements. The FAA is the designated
representative agency for the United States in dealing with ICAO. ICAOis in the
process of establishing new standards that will be applied to aircraft manufactured over
the next 20 years. These standards, termed “Stage IV”, have the potential to provide a
significant impact on noise reduction required of aircraft using American airports over
the next two decades.
ICAO assigned the development of recommended Stage IV standardsto its Committee
on Aviation Environmental Protection, which met in Montreal last spring and
recommended a 10 decibel reduction from the current standard. The Committee made
no recommendation on phasing out “hush-kit” equipped aircraft manufactured since
1980 (termed “marginal Stage III”) even though 60% of the noise at American airports is
caused by such aircraft. On September 25, 2001, ICAO will take final action on
adopting the international Stage IV standards. Neither the FAA nor the ICAO has a
process to solicit public input on these standards.
Discussion
Thus far the FAA is leaning toward a 10 dB reduction and opposition to a Stage III
phase-out as potentially imperiling the economic vitality of the global aviation system.
Airports Council International-North America and most of the western European
countries continue to seek a 14 dB reduction standard and a phase-out of marginal
Stage III aircraft, both of which would be highly beneficial to noise reduction at Santa
Monica Airport when applied to all aircraft.
It is a critical point for Santa Monica and other smaller community-based airports is that
the new standards should apply to all aircraft. The current Stage III standards exempt
aircraft under 75,000 pounds. Santa Monica Airport, with a 60,000 pound maximum
gross landing weight limit would have no aircraft affected.
For Santa Monica and other community airports to share fairly in the benefits and
protections of Stage IV noise reduction requirements, the proposed regulations should
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apply the highest feasible standard applicable to all aircraft, including those under
75,000 pounds.
The Airport Commission has recommended Council approval of the attached resolution
which was developed by a sub-committee of the Commission.
Budget/Financial Impact
There are no financial or budgetary impacts.
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution urging the ICAO and the FAA
to seek a 14 dB noise reduction standard applicable to all aircraft and a phase-out of all
marginal Stage III aircraft as part of the new Stage IV Noise Reduction Standards.
Prepared by: Jeff Mathieu, Director of Resource Management
Bob Trimborn, Airport Manager
Rod Merl, Senior Administrative Analyst
Exhibits: 1 Resolution Urging the Approval of Effective Stage IV Aircraft Noise
Reduction Standards by the ICAO and FAA
2 Decibel Scale – Noise Reduction Perception; Chart
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EXHIBIT 1
Resolution Urging the Approval of Effective Stage IV Aircraft
Noise Reduction Standards by the ICAO and FAA
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EXHIBIT 2
Decibel Scale
Noise Reduction Perception
Level
Perception
Reduction
Perceived
1-2 dB
difference
Conspicuously
2-3 dB
quieter
Substantially
5 dB
quieter
10 dBHalf as loud
One fourth as
20 dB
loud
Decibel Scale
Definition:
The Decibel (dB) is a unit of measure of sound proportional to
the logarithm of the measured sound pressure.
Noise Reduction Perception:
Source:
Airports Council International-North America
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