US: FAA facing backlash over noise issues created by PBN flight paths

FAA is contending with a backlash from some communities around airports where Performance Based Navigation (PBN) procedures have inadvertently created concentrated areas of increased aircraft noise. “We’ve gotten a few calls and letters,” FAA administrator Michael Huerta said. “PBN has certainly made flights more efficient. More precise navigation paths have an effect of shrinking the [overall] noise footprint of aircraft, but it does have the effect of concentrating the noise over a smaller area under the flight path.” The agency is seeking to avoid contentious legal battles over airport noise issues created by PBN flight paths. Huerta said FAA is willing to consider flight path adjustments to mitigate noise concerns, and will be more cognisant of potential noise issues when designing PBN procedures in the future. <br/>