scope:

Introduction

This document summarizes Noise Abatement Procedure (NAP) Research and Development (R&D) projects undertaken by various parties, including universities, regulatory agencies, manufacturers, air carriers and airports. The summaries are a result of survey questionnaires that were distributed to contact persons for NAP R&D in 2005-2006 and to CAEP member States and observers in 2008. As such, they should be viewed as snapshots of the efforts being undertaken at the time of the surveys. Some of these summaries report preliminary measured results of work already in progress, while others report predictions of anticipated improvements in environmental impact. While the reported benefits for Continuous Descent Operations (COO), in particular, show promise, some of the results have been achieved in unique operating environments with single operators using similar aircraft types with advanced navigation equipment. It will take incorporation of changes in flight, airspace and air traffic control (ATC) procedures and improvements in aircraft equipage on a widespread basis, adopted by the pilots, air carriers, Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) and airport operators, for these benefits to be fully realized.