The Challenge
The U.S. Navy needed to determine the noise impact of introducing new aircraft with more powerful engines.
The Strategy
HMMH:
- Conducted six weeks of noise measurements, combined with pilot and air traffic controller interviews and radar data, which provided the base line contours
- Modified contours to examine the effects of altered departure procedures and introduction of F14 aircraft with new, more powerful engines
- Took controlled measurements of departure sound levels produced by an aircraft with the new engines, and the NOISEMAP database was adjusted to account for the higher departure sound levels
- Used measurements to verify and modify initial contouring inputs, particularly the dispersion of aircraft operations across departure corridors
- Modeled altered departure procedures to determine changes necessary to reduce noise exposure in residential areas north of the station
- Met with community representatives to explain contour development
