Public reaction to low levels of aircraft noise

Abstract

Several recent instances have raised the issue of public annoyance from the noise of airplanes flying at relatively high altitudes or at relatively large distances from the nearest airport. Public complaints have arisen about airplane flights over northern New Jersey as the result of changes in flight patterns associated with the major New York airports, even though in many instances those airplanes are flying at 15 000 ft or higher. Concerns have arisen regarding the noise levels on the ground from the new, swept‐blade, advanced turboprop airplanes when they are flying at cruise altitudes of 30 000 ft and higher. Complaints about aircraft noise over national parks have resulted in a Congressional requirement to measure those noises and determine their severity. These noise levels do not meet the usual criteria for annoyance or interference with individual activity, whether in terms of average level or single events. A better understanding of the intrusive effects of low levels of community noise is needed, especially where present in areas of relatively low ambient noise levels.