The phaseout of older, noisier, Stage 2 aircraft was established as national policy by the Airport Noise and Capacity Act of 1990. This has greatly reduced noise exposure to communities under air traffic routes. Noise complaint data that comes into the FAA is used by our Air Traffic Division to aid in developing noise abatement strategies in line with our role and responsibilities. We periodically share this data with the appropriate airport operator and industry organizations. Individuals will usually notice an increase in aircraft noise during the warmer months of the year, when windows are open and people are outside.
Aircraft also climb slower in hot, humid air.
Additionally, sound conducts better, and therefore is louder, when the air is dense. Also, during the warmer months construction projects on the airport increase and result in runway closings, which significantly reduce the flexibility to rotate runways, and therefore, the ability to avoid frequent overflights of the same communities. These maintenance projects are necessary to ensure the safety of flight operations. Wind direction, however, is the primary determining factor in runway selection. Aircraft operate best when flying into the wind.