The Airport and the Environment

 Noise Pollution

For this weeks blog, I will be focusing on noise pollution.  I believe that noise pollution is a critical factor when planning, designing, or operating an airport. I will focus specifically on Military operations with helicopters around Class D airports. 

Consider a 20,000 LB helicopter with two turbine engines putting out 2000 hp per side.  That seems like small amount for a commercial airline, but for a helicopter, it's quite a lot. Helicopters also tend to have lower pattern altitudes, and of course, they fly lower than regular airplanes on an IFR flight plan. I have taken calls in flight operations in Johnstown, PA where a local resident just screams something like "I was in my bedroom and my house just started shaking because one of your helicopters flew right over my roof", or "I work nights and all I hear all day is your helicopters flying overhead".  Sometimes I just wanted to say "That's the sound of freedom, ma'am, you're welcome" and just hang up, but that's not a viable option. 

A viable option is one that creates a labyrinth of sound wave catching barriers around the airports, as depicted in the image below (Queviv, 2015).


I think this is a great idea, although many airports dont have the room to be able to do this.  Another option is one where flights can't arrive or depart between the hours of 11pm and 7am, however airports where the military operates would not be able to adhere to this, due to the critical missions that happen between those times. 


Queviv. (2015, August 10). Airports are using innovative solutions to shush noise complaints. USA Today. https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/roadwarriorvoices/2015/08/10/airports-are-using-innovative-solutions-to-shush-noise-complaints/83072830/.

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