Advanced Noise Abatement Approach Activities at a Regional UK Airport

Advanced noise abatement procedures incorporating Continuous Descent Approach, Precision Area Navigation and Low Power/Low Drag elements have been developed for a regional UK airport in partnership between academia and key stakeholders. The procedures were designed for a wide variety of aircraft types and equipages using a combination of advanced academic research tools, industry simulators and stakeholder input. Interactions between airspace constraints and procedure design were found to be critical. Flight trials of the procedures have demonstrated significant environmental benefits compared with non-trial flights: 3-6 dBA peak noise reductions and 10-20% fuel burn/carbon dioxide emissions reductions have been observed. However, the importance of aircraft automation level, air traffic control coordination and the need for effective environmental performance metrics have been highlighted.