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Noise Oversight Committee

NOC Accomplishments

2009 MSP Noise Oversight Committee (NOC) Accomplishments

Reviewed status of the 64 to 60 DNL noise mitigation program implementation process at MSP.
Analyzed the environmental/noise effects/benefits of Runways 12L, 12R and 17 RNAV departure procedures.
Finalized and submitted Runways 12L, 12R and 17 RNAV departure procedures to the MAC for submittal to the FAA for procedure approval.
Reviewed the PARTNER Noise Quest Website.
Reviewed annual MSP Noise Contour Report (assessing the 2008 actual noise contour) published per the requirements of the MSP noise litigation Consent Decree.
Conducted Annual Scheduled Nighttime Operations Assessment.
Developed Runway 12L/30R Reconstruction Communication Plan.
Continued to review input received from the quarterly public input meetings.
Conducted nighttime runway use analysis.
Began a dialog with the FAA on nighttime use of the parallel runways.
Analyzed the feasibility of Runways 12L and 12R departure turns at three miles.
Revisited the possibility of a Runway 35 River Visual Approach Procedure.
Developed a MACNOMS System Enhancement Plan.
Initiated discussion of possible Continuous Descent Approach (CDA) testing at MSP.
Conducted a review of aircraft fleet-mix trends at MSP following Delta Airlines’ acquisition of Northwest Airlines.
Reviewed ground operations and related noise on the west side ramp area.
Received an update on community implementation of polices on residential development in the 64 to 60 DNL noise contours.

2008 Noise Oversight Committee (NOC) Accomplishments

Reviewed status of the 64 to 60 DNL noise mitigation program implementation process
at MSP.
Developed home prioritization methodology for implementation of the 64 to 60 DNL noise mitigation program around MSP.
Reviewed the Final PARTNER Low Frequency Noise Study in the context of the low frequency noise topic at MSP.
Implemented updates to the voluntary nighttime operations agreement with the airlines at MSP and developed monthly nighttime scheduling reports for tracking performance.
Per the City of Eagan’s request, the NOC continued the analysis of nighttime Runway 17 departure trends during southeast operational flows at MSP and continued the related dialog with the FAA. This resulted in a reduction of nighttime Runway 17 departure operations during southeast operational flows at MSP consistent with the provision of the approved Runway Use System.
In response to concerns from the City of Apple Valley, the NOC developed and implemented a Pilot Communication program to increase pilots’ awareness of the issue of landing gear noise and to request their consideration of avoiding extended periods of flight with the gear extended on approach to MSP. This resulted in the development of text on the MSP pilot information web page (on the MAC Noise Program website) describing the gear extension concerns; an update was made to the Northwest Airlines pilot scheduling website providing a link to the pilot information page on the MAC Noise Program website, and a communication was sent from the Northwest Airlines Chief Pilot’s Office to all Northwest Airlines pilots describing the issue, directing them to the MSP pilot information web page, and requesting that pilots do their best to avoid extended periods of flight with the gear extended while approaching MSP.
Annual MSP Noise Contour Report (assessing the 2007 actual noise contour) was developed and published per the requirements of the MSP noise litigation Consent Decree
Reviewed flight track data acquisition technology to be utilized in the ANOMS upgrade at MSP and consideration of community system requirements
Developed and supported simulator testing (in Northwest Airlines simulators) of Area Navigation (RNAV) departure procedures for Runways 17, 12L and 12R to reduce noise impacts at MSP. This has resulted in a cooperative process with Northwest Airlines and
the FAA to ultimately implement these departures as public use procedures at MSP. A trial of the procedures is planned for January 2009 with implementation to follow.
Reviewed Inver Grove Heights Runway Use concerns.
Provided input on MAC Noise and Operations Monitoring System (MACNOMS) functionality.
Reviewed nighttime runway closure review and the development of a related community communication program.
Conducted Minneapolis departure heading analysis.
Reviewed the Runway 35 River Visual Approach Procedure.
Reviewed Global Positioning System (GPS) Satellite Landing System (SLS) 4000 Ground Based Augmentation System (GBAS) installation at MSP.
Completed Annual Scheduled Nighttime Operations Assessment.
Continued to review input received from the quarterly public input meetings.

2007 Noise Oversight Committee (NOC) Accomplishments

Analyzed departure flight track headings off of Runway 17 and associated community concerns with the 190-degree departure heading constraint. NOC’s analyses and work with the FAA resulted in the implementation of the 215-degree departure heading off Runway 17, moving more westbound departure operations over the unpopulated Minnesota River Valley.
Analyzed runway use at MSP, per the planned runway usage, and discovered low Runway 17/35 usage figures. The Committee sent a letter to the FAA questioning actual runway use statistics as compared to the runway use numbers published in the environmental documentation leading up to the opening of Runway 17. As a result, it was discovered that the FAA was moving forward with the final phase of Runway 17/35 integration at MSP. The result was Runway17/35 operational numbers that are now consistent with the previously planned runway usage.
Reviewed the operation of MSP with Runway 30L/12R closed for construction.
Developed a communication plan consisting of four specific elements designed to inform residents of the temporary change in operations at MSP due to the reconstruction of Runway 30L/12R.
Received updates on the Part 150 litigation and associated developments throughout the year.
Reviewed new state legislation regarding airport safety zones in real estate transactions.
Analyzed compliance with the Runway 12L Runway End Departure Turn Point Procedure and approved a new reporting format for the Monthly Eagan/Mendota Heights Corridor Report which more thoroughly assesses early turns off Runway 12L, and assesses aircraft that leave the corridor boundaries over unpopulated areas but return before flying over residential areas.
Received an update on aircraft fleet mix trends and the increase toward quieter aircraft operating at MSP.
Reviewed concerns from Richfield residents regarding noise impacts from operations on the west side of MSP.
Initiated noise monitoring studies of west side aircraft engine start procedures and analyzed the data to establish the best practice for reducing engine start noise impacts in Richfield.
Endorsed west side tenant actions to help address ramp ground noise impacts in the City of Richfield.
Endorsed the hushkitted Stage 3 aircraft engine start procedure for west side cargo ramp operations, providing a standardized engine start procedure that reduces noise impacts in East Richfield.
Requested that the late night/early morning B737 Kitty Hawk Air Cargo operation comply with the hushkitted aircraft engine start procedure due to low background noise levels generated when the operation occurs.
Analyzed low monthly compliance with the Eagan/Mendota Heights Departure Corridor and communicated with the FAA on the issue, resulting in increased monthly corridor compliance.
Reviewed options for future discussion and analysis of possible Area Navigation (RNAV) procedures at MSP to reduce noise impacts.
Analyzed nighttime Runway 17 departure operations during southeast operational flows at MSP and sent a letter to the FAA questioning Runway 17 nighttime departures, as compared to the approved RUS at the airport, and consistency with approved procedures.
Evaluated nighttime operations trends and updates to the Voluntary Nighttime Operations Agreement with airlines, resulting in the development of a letter to all airlines at MSP requesting voluntary compliance with the nighttime operations agreement.
Continued to review input received from the quarterly public input meetings.

2006 Noise Oversight Committee (NOC) Accomplishments

Analyzed Runway 17/35 operations trends.
Reviewed comments and issues south of MSP following Runway 17/35 opening.
Continued evaluation and advocated increased use of Runway 17 2.5 nautical mile departure turn point procedure resulting in increased compliance, from a low in November 2005 of 85.1% compliance to a high of 99.2% compliance in September 2006.
Evaluated uses of the 190 degree departure heading off Runway 17 over residential areas in northeast Burnsville during southeast operational flows, and requested FAA open up west bound departure headings to a 230 degree heading over the uninhabited Minnesota River Valley during southeast operational flows. Discussions are ongoing with FAA to address the issue.
Conducted a review of Part 150 Noise Compatibility Program noise mitigation measures from an implementation perspective.
Received updates on Part 150 mitigation implementation issues focusing on the mold issue.
Reviewed FAA grant funding eligibility concerns for the mitigation of a multi-family building in Bloomington. The discussion resulted in FAA approval of Part 150 grant dollars to mitigate the building as part of MAC’s Part 150 program in the 65+ DNL.
Updates on the MSP 2020 plan discussions.
Increased the number of at-large communities with a by-law modification to include the representation of the City of Apple Valley in the at-large cities group.
Reviewed abnormally high Boeing 757 arrival noise events as measured by ANOMS and, through coordination with Northwest Airlines, determined that engine bleed valves on the aircraft were opening in a manner that created a high noise level. Subsequently, using ANOMS, MAC staff worked with Northwest Airlines staff to determine the specific aircraft. Northwest Airlines worked cooperatively with the engine manufacturer and the bleed valve manufacturer to identify the root cause and to develop a corrective action plan; Northwest Airlines took corrective action with the engine manufacturer. These efforts were a success; in May 2005, twenty-three Boeing 757 arrival aircraft showed up in the ‘Top Ten Loudest Aircraft Noise Events’ section of the Technical Advisor’s Report, many with levels in excess of 100 dB. That is compared to 2 events in May 2004 and 1 event in May 2003 (all of which were normal in noise level magnitude). In September 2006, only 4 Boeing 757 arrival aircraft showed up in the ‘Top Ten Loudest Aircraft Noise Events’ section of the Technical Advisor’s Report (all of which were normal in noise level magnitude).
Assessed nighttime operations and associated impacts.
Reviewed new flight track data acquisition technologies that are available to reduce data lag times for consideration in a future ANOMS upgrade.
Considered supplemental noise metrics resulting in the addition of time above data in the monthly NOC Technical Advisors Report.
Reviewed status of the FAA Center of Excellence/PARTNER initiatives.
Reviewed updates to the Metropolitan Council Land Use Compatibility Guidelines related to airport noise.
Reviewed the macnoise.com website and implemented site enhancements.
Continued review and consideration of input received from the quarterly Public Input Meetings.

2005 Noise Oversight Committee (NOC) Accomplishments

Reviewed and modified the NOC Bylaws focusing on Committee process and public input
Reviewed the 2007 65 DNL Contour Sound Mitigation Program implementation elements, process and prioritization
Established a comprehensive airport noise public information program
Established alternate engine run-up locations with Runway 17/35 in operation
Developed a noise abatement sensitivity training program/materials for pilots
Reviewed NOC member cities’ planning and development practices as they relate to known airport noise impact areas
Developed aircraft operation/noise reporting information and format for Runway 17/35
Conducted an assessment of nighttime operations and associated noise impacts
Received an update on the progress of the PARTNER low-frequency noise research
Reviewed supplemental noise metrics
Discussed and implemented enhancements to the Public Input Meeting format
Reviewed the MSP 2020 Plan and associated impacts
Continued review of input received at the Public Input Meetings