
Noise 101, Part 6 What exactly is “Stage 3”? Prepared by .. SDIA Airport Noise Mitigation Office
Overview • In late 1960s, increasing noise complaints from communities due to the introduction of jet aircraft led Congress to require FAA to impose rules to control aircraft noise. • 1972 – Noise Control Act - reaffirmed and strengthened amendment to Federal Aviation Act
Congressional Mandate • FAA wrote regulations implementing Congressional legislation • Designed a system to categorizelarge, commercial air service aircraft by the amount of noise produced (Stage 1 – Stage 3) • Addressed the phase out of Stage 1 and 2 aircraft by January 1, 2000
FAA Classification • The FAA classifies aircraft into three stages for clarification: Stage 1, 2, and 3 in order from loudest to the least noisiest. • Noise levels for Stage definition of aircraft are measured at three points. These points are designed to measure noise levels for take-off, approach, and flyovers (sideline). Furthermore, classification is also based on the aircraft weight and number of engines.
First generation jet aircraft Stage 1 Boeing 707 Douglas DC-8 Boeing 737-100
Boeing 727 Second Generation Jets DC-9 Stage 2 Boeing 747 Boeing 737-200
AIRBUS 300 MD-90 Stage 3 Boeing 757 Boeing 767F MD-80
Stage 3 Criteria • Affects large, commercial air service aircraft GTW >75,000 lbs operate in the continental U.S. Foreign carriers must meet this requirement on the aircraft they operate in the U.S. • All such aircraft must meet the noise requirements of Stage 3 not later than January 1, 2000
Factors Affecting Stage 3 • Aircraft weight • The heavier the airplane the more noise it is allowed to make and still be Stage 3 • Number and type of engines • The more engines the airplane has the more noise it can make and still be Stage 3 • Exempts all business jets GTW <75,000 lbs.
Stage 3 Stage 2
Methods to meet Stage 3 • Replace older aircraft with new Stage 3 certificated airplanes (change fleet mix) • Re-certificate existing aircraft with new engines that meet Stage 3 requirements • Modify existing engines to meet Stage 3 requirements (Hushkit) • Artificially limit GTW to allow it to conform to Stage 3 noise standards
Airbus 330 Boeing 7E7 Canadair Regional Jet (CRJ) Airbus 320 And Beyond
What’s next – Stage 4 • Chapter (Stage) 4 noise standard established and adopted by ICAO in 2002. FAA issued a NPRM in March 2004 which parallels ICAO standard • Applies to all NEW airplane designs on or after Jan 1, 2006 • Imposes a requirement that designs must produce noise levels 10 decibels lower than Stage 3
Caveat • Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) noted that U.S. adoption of Stage 4 "is not intended to signal the start of any rulemaking or other proceeding aimed at phasing out the production or operation of current aircraft models.”