In February, the European Union proposed a ''hush kit'' rule that would limit the acquisition and use of certain kinds of aircraft equipment. But the rule is flawed. In fact, it will not result in a single quieter jet plane in Europe. Instead, this unilateral action threatens all progress on a new international standard for even quieter jets in the coming decade and beyond. We propose a win-win solution to the problem.
Hush kits are high-tech mufflers for airplane engines.
They were developed as a way to make an airplane that meets the old international noise standard quiet enough to comply with the current standard. The EU's proposed rule would restrict the acquisition and use of aircraft equipped with hush kits, no matter how quiet they are. Equally troubling, the rule would also restrict the acquisition and use of airplanes that have been equipped with certain kinds of new engines. Both the hush kits and the new engines comply fully with the latest standard developed through the International Civil Aviation Organization. First, it is harmful because it is a unilateral measure.