The CAA are seeking to specify the minimum acceptable level of sophistication of noise modelling so to provide consistency across different groups of airports

In order to carry out certain aspects of its regulatory duties, the CAA requires stakeholders (usually from airports) to provide them with outputs from noise modelling. Such outputs are typically in the form of sets of ‘noise contours’, along with the area they cover and/or the number of residents living within them.

Currently, different stakeholders use different levels of sophistication in this modelling, which is as expected since they have different numbers of residents affected by aviation noise, and may respond to the CAA in regard to different of thir duties. Up until now, it has been the responsibility of each stakeholder to decide on the level of sophistication of noise modelling appropriate for its circumstances.

The CAA now believes that it is appropriate to specify the minimum acceptable level of sophistication of noise modelling required for them to carry out such duties, to provide clarity to sponsors and stakeholders about the methodology they should use and therefore reduce ambiguity, and to provide consistency across different groups of airports.

The CAA has published a consultation document where it defines categories of noise modelling and puts forward its proposals for the minimum requirements which different stakeholder and sponsor groups should achieve in order for the CAA to carry out its duties.

They invite comments on the proposals and will consider any response received before publishing the final requirements.

How to respond to this consultation

Please visit the dedicated consultation website to download the consultation document and give your views online.

Comments must be received before 4 March 2020. They cannot commit to taking into account comments received after this date.

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