Analysis of Operational Factors Contributing to Aircraft Overflight Noise Variation

Significant variations in measured overflight noise are observed from airport monitor networks, even for similar aircraft flying comparable operational procedures. Operational factors, including aircraft configuration, acceleration and deceleration procedures, thrust profiles, and associated environmental factors, can impact noise. To assess these impacts, operational Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast surveillance and weather data were associated with noise monitor recordings for a 3-year period at Seattle-Tacoma and John Wayne International Airports for Boeing 737-800, Boeing 737-700, and Airbus A320 aircraft. The impact of flight procedures on noise observations is assessed by evaluating flight profiles by airline to investigate the impact of differences in departure and arrival procedures. It was observed that aircraft weight and thrust correlate positively with noise on departure. At John Wayne Airport, there is evidence that thrust variations can result in large differences in noise near the airport, while procedural differences, such as a steeper initial climb seen at both airports, can reduce noise levels at further distances. Noise on arrival was observed to correlate more closely with airspeed and shows evidence of being dependent on aircraft flap configuration.