The Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act of 1979

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was directed to establish a process for addressing airport noise and land use compatibility. During this process the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act of 1979 was developed. Under this policy it clearly identifies airport noise responsibility and decreed airport operators responsibilities for dealing with citizen complaints.

The Aircraft Noise Abatement Act of 1968 requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to develop and enforce safe standards for noise generated by aircraft. In developing these standards, the FAA generally follows the restrictions on noise established by the International Civil Aviation Organization. Federal noise control regulations define aircraft according to three classes: Stage I, Stage 2, and Stage 3. Stage I aircraft are the loudest, and Stage 3 are the quietest. However, all Stage I aircraft have been phased out of commercial operation, and all unmodified Stage 2 aircraft over 75,000 pounds were phased out by December 31, 1999, as required by the Airport Noise and Capacity Act of 1990. All Stage 3 aircraft in current operation must meet separate standards for runway takeoffs, landings, and sidelines, which range from 89 to 106 dbA depending on the aircraft's weight and its number of engines. The Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act of 1979 authorizes the FAA to award grants under the Airport Improvement Program for noise mitigation projects. Airport operators applying for such grants must design noise exposure maps and develop noise mitigation programs that limit sound levels in affected areas to between 65 and 75 dbA. The population exposed to airport noise of 65 dbA or higher declined as Stage 2 aircraft were phased out, and EPA estimates that in 2000 less than 500,000 people will be exposed to such levels, down from 7.0 million people in 1975.