A Practical Method for Estimating Operational Lateral Noise Levels

This report presents a study that was undertaken at Gatwick airport to establish an alternative method for estimating operational aircraft noise levels at the lateral (sideline) certification measurement location. In operational circumstances, the lateral noise level is very difficult to measure on the standard 450 m sideline because the maximum level must be captured. An alternative method is described that relies on measuring take-off power noise beneath the aircraft rather than to the side. These estimates, which are referred to as pseudo-lateral noise levels, are not true lateral levels, but they are highly correlated with them.