"FAA Takes Steps to Lower Noise at National"

Tuesday, April 3, 2007

FAA Takes Steps to Lower Noise at National 
The Richmond (VA) Times Dispatch 


WASHINGTON - The Federal Aviation Administration has ordered air-traffic
controllers to receive quarterly refresher training in procedures to control
noise from flights in and out of Ronald Reagan National Airport. Flying over
the Potomac River will minimize noise.

The agency's actions come in response to a study that found air-traffic
noise has steadily increased in some Northern Virginia neighborhoods since
the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The McLean Citizens Association found that noise from flights has increased
an average of 3.6 decibels in eastern McLean and 2.4 decibels in Great
Falls, raising noise levels in both locations to about 55 decibels. The FAA
sets 65 decibels as the acceptable maximum for aircraft noise.

Flights have drifted to the Virginia side of the river since Sept. 11
because controllers and pilots want to avoid the restricted airspace in
Maryland and Washington, officials said.

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