Airport Noise: Perspectives from a Regulatory Agency

Authors

  • L. T. Filotas Civil Aviation Planning & Research, Ministry of Transport, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N5

Abstract

Most readers will be familiar with charts listing 'typical' noise levels associated with common activities. After attributing the lowest level to some innocuous source - perhaps 'rustling of leaves' - this kind of list will climb through a succession of items such as 'normal conversation', 'home appliances' and 'automobile horns'. And the chief villain topping the list? Almost certainly the jet airplane. As chief regulator of this putative chief villain, the Civil Aeronautics Branch of the Ministry of Transport is the government agency most directly concerned with aircraft noise control and bears the brunt of the public's often vociferous complaints. Despite stiff competition disputing the jet's community noise championship - notably from road traffic - there seems little doubt that airplanes generate the loudest levels involuntarily experienced by many people. At any rate, many of our larger airport's neighbours are disturbed deeply enough to devote considerable time to lobby against this unfortunate adjunct of the jet age. Accordingly, and quite properly, noise control is becoming increasingly predominant in airport planning and operations. This article examines - informally, from a working level perspective in a federal regulatory agency - some aspects of airport noise: in particular, it reviews the MOT's current practices and future hopes.

Additional Files

Published

1974-01-01

How to Cite

1.
Filotas LT. Airport Noise: Perspectives from a Regulatory Agency. Canadian Acoustics [Internet]. 1974 Jan. 1 [cited 2026 May 16];2(1):2-9. Available from: https://jcaa.caa-aca.ca/index.php/jcaa/article/view/365

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 1 (1974)

Section

Technical Articles

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