Managing ground noise
Managing ground noise
There are several main causes of noise on the ground at airports:
- Planes having their engines testing following maintenance activity.
- Planes using reverse thrust to increase their braking when they land.
- Planes travelling between the runway and stands (their ‘parking space’).
- Planes sitting on their stands with their power units running.
So what are we doing to reduce the noise?
- We’re discouraging pilots from using ‘reverse thrust’ when they land.
Reverse thrust is one way of slowing down the plane once it has landed. There are some situations, though – a wet runway for instance – where reverse thrust still needs to be used to add braking power. Because of the noise, the Government asks pilots not to use reverse thrust between 23:00 and 06:00 unless they have to for safety reasons. - We’re working with Air Traffic Control to cut down the amount of time that planes are waiting to take off, or are taxiing on the ground, so that the engines aren’t running for so long.
- We’re plugging planes into the mains electrical supply while they are on stand.
This is a system known as Fixed Electrical Ground Power and it can replace the noisy power units on the plane itself. It allows things like interior lighting and the air conditioning systems to be operating. - We’re using landscaping (such as earth barriers and walls), to provide noise barriers between the planes and the local community.
- We place restrictions on the duration and location of engine testing.
- We also place restrictions regarding the use of aircraft auxiliary power units and ground power units whilst on stand.
