News: BA taking a quiet approach
Flights > News > # 510 (25/07/2005)
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British Airways is leading a trial of new landing procedures which could bring large reductions in the numbers of people affected by early morning aircraft noise. Use of the procedures approaching London Heathrow and Gatwick airports enables aircraft to follow more precise flightpaths so they can be routed around more densely populated areas.
Many Heathrow early arrivals now begin their descent from cruising height, reducing altitude continuously without needing to level off before touchdown. Losing altitude consistently instead of the traditional ‘stepped’ descent means engine noise as perceived from the ground is lower – up to five decibels quieter when the aircraft is 15 miles from touchdown. The route, over the Thames estuary, has been used before under radar control but can now be flown on a consistently more accurate basis using precision navigation technology. BA say following the track over the Thames estuary, rather than following the normal approach over north east London, reduces by approximately one million the number of residents affected by aircraft noise. The procedure also leads to greater fuel efficiency.
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