More Tax Money Spent On Those Who Built Near Airports... and Expected Them To Get Quieter

The FAA has updated guidelines on how to develop and implement sound insulation programs to mitigate sound exposure to homes, schools, and medical and other facilities near airports.

The circular, Guidelines for Sound Insulation of Structures Exposed to Aircraft Noise, provides standards, processes and procedures, and guidelines for all phases of developing and implementing a sound insulation program. It also has technical updates on program development, including property surveys, acoustic engineering principles and testing methods, establishing boundaries, and determining noise level reductions.

Principal changes outline details on roles and responsibilities; procedures for program initiation through completion; standards for acoustic testing, funding opportunities, and project costs; and considerations for community outreach, project phasing, and sound insulation treatments.

The advisory circular became effective upon its publication. Users who develop and manage sound insulation programs for airports may voluntarily conform to this advisory circular. The FAA considers the standards and processes described in this AC essential for the fidelity of sound insulation programs, however, it does not constitute a regulation. The benefits and usefulness of these guidelines are unaffected by FAA’s ongoing noise policy review.

Airports with established sound insulation programs should consult with FAA regarding changes to ongoing sound insulation programs that may require re-evaluation. This AC cancels AC 150/5000-9A, which focused on technical aspects of developing sound insulation programs, such as sound exposure and insulation metrics.

FMI: www.faa.gov