Steep Segemented Approaches for Active Noise Abatement – a Flyaility Study

Abstract

Aircraft noise is already a major constraint at many airports. Increase in airport capacity can often only be achieved if noise abatement measures are taken to protect people living around the airport. For active noise abatement basically two means of noise reduction exist. On the one hand, noise generated by airframe and engine can be reduced. On the other hand, noise impact can be decreased by increasing the distance between the aircraft generating the noise and noise sensitive areas on the ground. The latter can be achieved either by lateral avoidance of such areas or by a higher vertical flight profile. The paper deals with a steeper approach profile to increase altitude of the aircraft during approach. To allow a standard 3° landing and thus a higher rate of applicability the vertical approach profile is divided into 2 segments. It starts at about 8000ft AGL with a 4,5° slope. At about 1500 ft AGL the approach slope transitions into a standard 3° slope, intercepting the glide slope from above. The flyability of this approach has been tested in different fullflight training simulators of TUIfly, Condor and Lufthansa. It has been successfully tested with the following aircraft types: Airbus A320-200, Airbus A330-300, Airbus A340-600, Airbus A380-800, Boeing B737-800, Boeing B747-8, and Boeing B767-300. Results of the simulator trials and future activities are presented and discussed in this contribution.