05 - Existing noise management

Existing noise management

At Edinburgh Airport, we strive to achieve a balance between the benefits that our airport brings to Edinburgh and Scotland, and the noise disturbance that our operations may cause to our neighbours and the wider community.

We recognise we cannot completely eliminate noise caused by our operations we aim to operate practical, responsible and realistic environmental controls; to reduce the number impacted, while creating local and national employment and supporting substantial inward investment in our region.

Airports have important statutory responsibilities to manage noise from their operations, this forms part of our strategy and we report on noise annually in our CRR. We also respond directly to individuals who contact us via our dedicated Freephone noise number, our feedback system or email options.

Noise monitoring and fining

As part of our commitment to mitigate against the noise from operations at Edinburgh Airport we currently have policies and procedures in place which control, monitor, and where necessary fine aircraft operators who do not follow our procedures.

Aircraft flying to and from Edinburgh Airport are monitored by three permanent and fixed noise monitoring stations located at Cramond, Uphall/Broxburn and Livingston.

To measure the noise from individual aircraft the noise measurement parameter Lmax is used. This is measured in decibels (dB), and is the measurement of the maximum noise level during each aircraft movement. There are maximum allowed levels for daytime noise (06:00-23:30) and night time noise (23:30-06:00) – these are 94 dBA Lmax and 87 dBA Lmax respectively. Flights must not exceed these levels and airlines are fined for all exceedances. This is a voluntary policy introduced by Edinburgh Airport to mitigate against noise nuisance in our communities. Further information on our current noise fining policy and procedures can be found within Appendix G.

Placement of noise monitors

We have fixed noise monitors that are positioned using the recommendations of a scientific study which was carried out by the CAA for the Department for Transport. This study was carried out to ensure that the major London airports positioned their noise monitors in locations that would ensure consistent and accurate noise measurements could be obtained. Edinburgh Airport follows this guidance as do other major airports in the UK, including Gatwick, Heathrow, Stanstead and Glasgow.

Noise and Track Keeping monitoring system

In 2017, we commissioned a project to implement a customer-focused and accessible Noise and Track Keeping monitoring system (NTK). This new NTK system developed by Casper will be publicly available in early 2018. As well as improved analysis and reporting, this system will allow members of the public to track the path of flights arriving and departing Edinburgh Airport very close to real time. A slight delay is built into the system for security reasons. The public will be able to monitor flights of interest and view the associated level of noise at the fixed-noise monitoring site nearest to them. The online tool will allow members of the public to check aircraft noise levels and flight-specific information such as flight position and altitude using our own radar data.

In line with our complaints procedure members of the public who do not have access to the internet can contact us regarding their concerns either by post or via our dedicated noise line on 0800 731 3397 (Freephone 24/7). Our complaints procedure is available within Appendix K or online via our website www.edinburghairport.com

Noise Management Board

The Noise Management Board (NMB) is a forum involving the airport, its neighbours and partners to ensure communities are involved, engaged and informed through open dialogue and clear data.

It works collaboratively to address and improve noise management issues, review ‘track keeping’ performance and the setting and monitoring of noise. This aids in the mutual understanding of noise issues and facilitates shared solutions. The NMB also acts as a forum to discuss proposed changes and deal with general issues such as noise complaints and monitoring performance.

The NMB forms part of the airport’s wider stakeholder engagement and the independent Chair of the NMB also sits on the airport’s Consultative Committee.

Ground noise and engine running

We recognise that ground noise can also cause significant disturbance to the local community. For that reason, although not required under the Environment Noise Directive, we will continue to seek to address this through operating practices.

Engine running is an essential part of airport operations. Engines need to be tested for safety reasons and engine runs form part of the maintenance programme for aircraft. We understand that this noise can cause disturbance to local residents and therefore adopt certain measures to reduce the impact on the community. We do not allow engine testing during the night unless exceptional circumstances require us to do so. High power engine running takes place to the south east of the airfield which is the furthest location from any residential properties. Other engine testing generally takes place on the aircraft stands.

All ground engine runs are subject to prior approval by Airside Operations and ATC. Permission for ground runs outwith the following days and times will only be permitted under exceptional circumstances:

Monday to Friday 23:01-05:59 Saturday and Sunday 23:01-08:59

In order to help our community better understand our engine running requirements, we included a specific action within our NAP to report on the frequency and times of engine running through our quarterly report to EACC. We propose to maintain this communication.

Continuous Descent Approaches

Arriving aircraft are encouraged to use Continuous Descent Approaches (CDA). With a CDA an aircraft descends towards an airport in a gradual, continuous approach with the engine power cut back. By flying higher for longer and eliminating the need for the extra thrust required for the periods of level flight between steps of descent, CDAs result in reduced fuel burn and emissions and mean less noise exposure for communities under the arrivals flight path. This type of procedure can result in noise reductions of up to 5 dB.

Continuous Climb Departures

Like CDAs, Continuous Climb Departures (CCD) are encouraged due to the noise reductions and fuel savings on local communities.

The greatest benefit of continuous climb departures is the significant reduction in CO2 emissions and the benefits this has on air quality. Sustainable Aviation has promoted continuous climb techniques at UK airports, with the procedure being used up until 10,000ft. From 55% of departures using the technique in 2006, implementation grew to 67% in 2014. Sustainable Aviation is also promoting best practice in take-off and landing cycle operations through the publication, in partnership with others, of codes of practice. Climbing to optimum cruising altitude and out of congested airspace can reduce CO2 per departure by 100-300 kilograms. Further information on CDAs and CCDs and the scientific reasoning behind the use of these procedures may be found on Sustainable Aviation’s website www.sustainableaviation.co.uk

Noise insulation scheme

As part of the noise mapping for this NAP, new Leq dBA 16hr contour maps were produced for Edinburgh Airport by our regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). These will be used to determine the eligibility of properties to assist with the installation and replacement of double-glazed windows and loft insulation.

In 2016 we increased the number of properties eligible to apply to the scheme by including the 63 dB contour. Properties within the 63 dB and greater contours may apply for assistance as detailed below.

Scheme details
Households without double glazing in the 63 dB or greater contour of the airport, who haven’t benefited from the scheme before, are entitled to apply for:

• free secondary glazing to fit existing windows; or
• a 50% contribution to standard double glazed PVCu replacement windows; or
• a 50% contribution to high specification double glazed PVCu replacement windows, specially designed to reduce noise levels, or a combination of these options
• a 50% contribution for replacing glass sealed units (glass only keeping existing window frames).

Owners of properties already fitted with double glazing who do not want it replaced, will still be eligible for loft insulation free of charge as part of the scheme.

Night noise mitigation

As part of our ongoing commitment to reducing the impact of our operations on our closest neighbours, we currently impose stricter noise controls and limits during the hours of 23:30 to 06:00.

Noise fining
Between the hours of 23:30 and 06:00 aircraft must not exceed 87 dB Lmax at Edinburgh Airport’s fixed-noise monitoring stations, a financial penalty will be imposed on all aircraft which exceed this limit. The minimum penalty for exceeding the limit is £1,000, rising to £2,000 if the exceedance is greater than 3 dB. Further information on our noise fining policy can be found in Appendix G.

Engine testing
We do not allow engine testing during the night unless exceptional circumstances require us to do so. High power engine running takes place to the south east of the airfield which is the furthest location from any residential properties.

Military aircraft

Military aircraft are exempt from the noise certification criteria that apply to civilian aircraft. This is a UK Governmental exemption and UK airports’ noise standards, including Edinburgh’s NAP, cannot be imposed on military aircraft operations. We restrict military operations to between 07:00 and 23:00 hours with the only exceptions being for essential operations, mostly on compassionate grounds. In these cases, we may permit arrival operations only, with subsequent departure being permitted after 07:00. Military aircraft are also exempt from the terms of the EU Noise Directive (2002/49/EU).

Complaints policy

We understand that our operations have an impact on our local communities and that residents may want to complain about aircraft activity. This policy explains how we receive and process complaints. Our current complaint policy is detailed in Appendix K.