The FAA today published its Final Rule regarding “Noise Limitations for Aircraft Operations in the Vicinity of Grand Canyon National Park”. The final rule classifies aircraft used in commercial sightseeing flight operations over Grand Canyon National Park (GCNP) by the noise they produce. The FAA felt the rule was “necessary to establish reasonably achievable requirements for aircraft operating in the GCNP to be considered as employing quiet aircraft technology.” The final rule refers to the designation as “GCNP quiet aircraft technology” rather than the earlier “quiet technology” in order to clarify that the scope of the final rule is limited to aircraft operating in the GCNP.
The final rule discusses and to some extent incorporates the comments received by the FAA. It also includes the FAA’s response to those comments. The final rule is effective today. For more information regarding the final rule, you can contact Thomas L. Connor; (AEE-100); Office of Environment and Energy; Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20591, (202) 267-8933.
