Aircare ™ Code of Practice for Aircraft operators Noise Abatement

1. Aircare™ Code of Practice for Aircraft operatorsNoise Abatement John Fogden Total Aviation Quality Ltd.

2. Outline • Intro • Aircare • ‘Front-footing legislation’ • Noise Abatement Code of Practice • ‘It’s just about culture’ • Noise • HAI Fly Neighbourly Program • Recap • Assessment

3. Introduction • Noise abatement training provided by TAQ and Richard Rayward CEO Air Safaris on behalf of AIA • Whilst not targeted at fixed wing aeroplanes, elements of this presentation and associated Fly Neighbourly Program are adopted by this code in order to deliver the same benefits.

4. What are we doing here?? • February 2011 Department of Conservation announced that DOC will require all aircraft concession holders and all aircraft operators that want to work in the DOC Estate to be AIRCARE™ Accredited by April 2012. • Later DOC elected to make the requirement mandatory for only certain areas. E.g Milford

5. Concessions • DOC has achieved this by mandating in the CMS reviews. • Extended concessions

6. AIRCARE™ • The biggest threat to aircraft activities is poorly written legislation being developed to protect the environment. • The way the industry is reacting to that is to develop the AIRCARE™ Program • The AIRCARE™ Program is an enabling program.

7. Helicopter Noise Legislation updateHelicopter Noise Legislation updateThe Los Angles Residential Helicopter Noise Relief Act 2011 (pending)Requires FAA to issue within 1 yr (earliest and 3 yrs (latest) Regulations to: restrict helicopter flight paths & set minimum altitudes over LA.www.phpa.org/berman

8. HOW? • The AIRCARE™ Accreditation Program includes codes of practice about discharges (Spraying, Topdressing & aerial poison drops) engineering and Amenity Values (the Noise Abatement Code)

9. Proving it • SMS that sits above the codes requires that operators are independently audited against both the SMS and the codes. • To be awarded accreditation an operator has to prove compliance with the relevant code(s) every time they go to work.)

10. Compliance Flowchart

11. Aircare™ ENVIRONMENTAL Code of Practice for Aircraft Operations - Amenity Values • - NOISE ABATEMENT

12. Code of Practice Intro • In accordance with the requirements to preserve amenity values as described in the RMA, aerial operators need to manage noise. • By following the principles detailed in this code, that can be achieved.

13. Code of Practice • This code forms part of the Environmental Management System offered as part of the AIRCARE SMS run by the Aviation Industry Association of NZ. •  It recognises the issues involved with the operation of aircraft in and around noise sensitive areas • Details a plan by which the aviation industry and regulators can work together in order to achieve the long term goal of limiting the noise and environmental impact of aircraft

14. Code of Practice - Intro • With a proactive approach the aviation community can pre-empt legislation being enforced upon the industry that could itself be unworkable. • Does not address: • Aircraft • Noise measurement

15. Code of Practice - Intro • Members of the aviation community are invited to join this accreditation program that both trains and measures pilots and operators in ‘flying neighbourly’ and in noise abatement methods. • The aviation community needs work with regulators to identify measures that reduce the impact of aircraft noise.

16. The Code Noise Abatement • Amenity values • Means those natural or physical qualities and characteristics of an area that contribute to people’s appreciation of its pleasantness, aesthetic coherence, and cultural and recreational attributes • Noise Sensitive Area • An area where the impact of adverse effects from noise diminishes the amenity values of that area • Excludes CBD but may include residential areas and smaller towns between 1900 – 0700. • Populous Area • A collection of ten residences or more in an area less than two hectares, or a gathering of more than 100 people.

17. Legislation • The Resource Management Act 1991 • empowers legislators to control elements of aircraft operations e.g. noise as it impacts on amenity values. • Does not control overflight • The Civil Aviation Act 1990 • empowers the CAA to control aircraft operations. The Civil Aviation Act does not empower CAA to have any control of aircraft noise. Notwithstanding this, the majority of complaints that CAA fields are noise related • Does not control noise

18. Legislation (cont) • The Conservation Act 1987, • Specifically Part 3B Concessions Section 170 (2) says that no activity will be carried out in a conservation area unless authorized by a concession. • The National Parks Act 1980 • Specifically Section 14 Wilderness Areas s14(2)(d) This clause prohibits aircraft landing or hovering in Wilderness Areas.

19. What’s all this about? • What has changed?? • RMA 1991 • CA Act 1990 • Conservation Act 1987 • Nat. Parks Act 1980 • Tolerance has changed • What was considered normal or acceptable in years gone by is no longer so.

21. Culture • Culture has to change • The measure of a pilot • Crashes • Productivity • Least breakages • Most versatile / professional/ lowest insurance risk • What is needed now is both helicopter and fixed wing operators and pilots who adapt the quickest

22. Advertising has changed

23. Short story • Understanding the impact of noise on the environment and on amenity values and how that noise can be effectively managed is about: • Staying in business • Keeping your job

24. Noise vs Sound • There are sounds that please us • And there are noises that disturb us • Not everyone likes the same types of noise

25. The environment • Irrespective of the sound /noise being generated, the environment will dictate its character. • F1 GP, Airshows, Jet ski carnivals • Churches, Nat. Parks, schools, hospitals, holiday resorts, outdoor gatherings / concerts • More peaceful the environment the bigger the impact

26. Code of Practice • NOISE – CAUSE & REMEDIES • Fixed wing • Propeller (design & speeds) retrofitable • Settings & sync • Set RPM at lowest recommended setting in all flight phases • 100 rpm difference in mid-range of prop setting will raise or lower noise emission by 3 - 5 dB. • High rpm very intrusive and increases at higher end of prop rpm setting (2450 rpm upwards) • 2600 – 2700 rpm setting can double perceived sound at ground level (Rayward)

27. Props

28. Stallion

29. GA8 Airvan

30. Code of Practice • Fixed wing (cont.) • Engine (turbines) retrofitable • Exhausts

31. FU 24 Exhaust

32. FU 24 Exhaust

33. Code of practice • Larger capacity small a/c • Caravan, XL 750 / Cresco, Pilatus • Manoeuvering • Environment • Technique • CULTURE

34. Code of Practice • NOISE – CAUSE & REMEDIES • Helicopter - Aerodynamic • Main rotor & tail rotor • construction, design & speed • Interaction • Engine (turbine) • Exhaust & gearbox • Environment • Temp, Humidity, terrain, distance, wind • Technique, manoeuvring • CULTURE

35. Van Horn • MD 600

36. Van Horn

37. Culture

38. Some myths around noise complaints • Stuff them. Ignore them and they will go away • Get right up ‘em. Best form of defence is attack. • There’s always a couple of moaners. No one else seems to have a problem. • We were operating here long before they came along.

39. Myths cont. • Wait ‘til they break a leg. Then they’ll be pleased to see us. • We’ve got a job to do, so they might as well get used to it. • Not much I can do about it.

40. Effect of noise • Some more sensitive to noise than others • Noise inducted vibration & rattle • A/c noise irritating low frequency content • Helicopter noise more irritating than f/wing • Periodic impulsive character • Personal judgement, fear and negative attitude • Industry’s response to these concerns……….

41. Industry response to concerns • Confusion of legislation leads to unsatisfactory results for complainants • Ignored or fobbed-off. Frustration • Concerns need to be listened to • Soon settle down when they realise they are being heard • Nearly all will be satisfied when they see some response to their concerns

42. ENVIRONMENTALCode of Practice for Aircraft OperationsAmenity Values-NOISE ABATEMENT For the purposes of this Code the word “shall” refers to practices that are mandatory for compliance with the Code and the word “should“ refers to practices that are advised, recommended or are industry best practice.

43. Responsiblities • Pilots • Attend & pass Fly Neighbourly training • Take all reasonable steps to minimise noise footprint • Comply with Code of Practice and company procedures except: • Notify operator when conditions cannot be complied with

44. Code of Practice – Responsiblities - Pilots • To meet the requirements of this code pilots shall complete the Fly Neighbourly training program and pass an assessment set by the AIA. • The term of this qualification shall be three years. • The Fly Neighbourly Guide upon which this training is based is included as Appendix 1.

45. Responsibilities - Pilots • Pilots shall take all reasonable steps to minimize their noise footprint. In flight, pilots should observe the following noise abatement procedures: • Avoid noise-sensitive areas where possible • Follow high ambient noise routes • Maintain an altitude as high as possible • Fly normal cruising speed or slower • Avoid sharp manoeuvres

46. Responsibilities - pilots • use steep takeoff and descent profiles (helicopters only) – Vy -5kts • Operate (f/wing)propellers at the low end of the propeller recommended RPM operating range for all phases of the flight. • Vary the route, repetition contributes to annoyance.

47. Responsibilities - pilots • For low level operations – use techniques that minimise the noise footprint: • operating RPM (rotor or prop). • keeping high ground or shelter belts between flight tracks and any nearby residence • hours of operation and timing of operation. • Where company (or User Group) operating areas or transit routes are developed, confine flights to those places.

48. Responsibilities - pilots • Comply with the Code of Practice except where they would conflict with: • Flight safety, or • C A Rules, or ATC clearances or instructions, or • Passenger comfort. • A/c limitations • Pilots unable to comply with company Policy or guidelines in respect to noise abatement shall document the event and notify the operator using an Event Notification form.

49. Responsibilities • Operators • Policy on noise minimisation and plan operations accordingly • Emphasise awareness of noise sensitive areas • Consider fleet , a/c type selection • Maintain a noise complaints register • Ensure staff attendance at FN courses • Ensure pilot’s ongoing awareness and understanding of noise minimisation

50. Responsibilities • Operators (cont.) • Include FN in Management Review Meetings • Promote customer education • Maintain active participation in Airspace User Groups