Second, sufficient phase-in periods were permitted to allow new technology to reach the marketplace. The result is superior noise performance from new aircraft and engine designs with minimal cost penalties to the end users. The alternative to long range international noise standards is a patchwork of national and local standards. Multiple standards dilute the impact of technology by forcing manufacturers to spend their product development and testing resources on multiple and sometimes conflicting goals. Overlapping and inconsistent standards also increase the uncertainty of market demand for new products and ultimately reduce the flow of investments for new noise abatement research.
International aviation is an essential part of the global economy.
Airline passenger and cargo services allow a growing proportion of the worlds population to participate in the global economy through cross-border production, marketing and product development. The integration of national economics depends, in part, on the continued health and capacity of international aviation. A patchwork of differing national standards is at cross-purposes with the development of a truly international transportation network. Now, back to additional points regarding the technical challenges facing the industry. The recently passed conference report to H.R. 2169, the FY 1998 Transportation Appropriations Bill addressed the issue of land-use planning and provided funds for noise mitigating grants to airports.