Aircraft Noise
Monitoring Aircraft Noise
A Noise and Flight Path Monitoring System (NFPMS) is used at Australia’s major airports to collect noise and flight path data.
The NFPMS is the world's largest, most geographically-spread system of its type and collects noise and flight path data 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Specifically, it records the identity, flight path and altitude of each aircraft operating to and from the airport, the noise levels produced by individual aircraft, weather data, and the general background noise.
The information collected is used to:
- determine the contribution of aircraft to overall noise exposure
- detect occurrences of excessive noise levels from aircraft operations
- assess the effects of operational and administrative procedures for noise control and compliance with these procedures
- assist in planning of airspace usage
- validate noise forecasts and forecasting techniques
- assist relevant authorities in land use planning for developments on areas in the vicinity of an airport
- generate reports and provide responses to questions from Government, industry organisations, community groups and individuals.
The NFPMS is located at the following airports: Brisbane, Cairns, Canberra, Coolangatta, Sydney, Melbourne, Essendon, Adelaide and Perth.
NFPMS Reports
Click here to view the NFPMS reports for the above airports.
NFPMS – How does it work?
Around each of the above mentioned airports there are a number of noise monitoring terminals (NMTs). The NMTs consist of a microphone on top of a 6 metre mast and an electronics box. The noise level to which the microphone is exposed over the range of 30 to 130 dB(A) is continuously measured and transmitted via a data line to the NFPMS central computer where it is processed and stored for later analysis. Apart from measuring aircraft noise, the NMTs also continuously monitor background noise.
The NFPMS is also connected to the secondary surveillance radar at the airport which enables it to acquire flight track information on aircraft operating into and out of the airport.
When the level and duration of noise generated by a noise source in the vicinity of the NMT location exceeds the threshold levels that have been set for the NMT site, a ‘noise event’ is recorded. The time and location of the noise event are checked against movement times and radar tracks of aircraft operating in the vicinity. If the time and NMT location of the noise event match the movement time and radar track of an aircraft, the noise event is attributed to that aircraft. Otherwise, it is regarded as part of the background noise.
Incoming data is stored in a central computer where it can be recalled to display the tracks flown by any aircraft operation, together with the noise levels produced at the NMT sites. The track information includes aircraft altitude and speed. The system also includes statistical and acoustical computation software to undertake analysis of noise or flight track information as required by the user.
The NFPMS can also compile track density plots. These clearly depict the number of aircraft movements over a chosen airport and surrounding area over a selected time period.
The NFPMS also has the capability to automatically analyse aircraft tracks by defining windows and corridors through which aircraft are expected to pass, and highlighting and listing those tracks that deviate from the defined areas or altitude. The analysis can be selective on either specification of aircraft type or the route being flown.
The NFPMS is a valuable tool to assist in the environmental management of aircraft operations in the vicinity of airports. Data from the system also benefits air traffic control planning and traffic analysis and enhances planning for the use of airspace and runways.
The incoming data is stored in the central computer from where it can be recalled to display on request the tracks flown by any user selection of aircraft operations, together with the noise levels that those operations produced at the NMTs. The track information includes aircraft altitude and speed. The system includes statistical and acoustical computation software to undertake analysis of noise or flight track information as required by the user.
Automatically and regularly the NFPMS produces reports that contain tabular and graphical summaries of noise and aircraft movement data for each airport. These reports include aircraft movement statistics such as runway usage by the various categories of aircraft and movement profiles.
It compiles track density plots consisting of a map of the airport and its surrounds, displaying with colour coding the number of aircraft movements over the area surrounding the airport, over selected time periods.
To lodge a complaint regarding aircraft noise, please use our online form.
To contact the Noise Enquiry Service phone 1800 802 584 (freecall) or 1300 302 240 (local call)
or write to:
Noise Enquiry Service
PO Box 211
Mascot NSW 1460
Email: community.relations@airservicesaustralia.com