This paper is assessing two methods that can be used in
assessing the airport noise capacity when new operational practices
are implemented at a certain airport. The example given is
CDA-continuous descent approach implemented at Bucharest Henri
Coanda International airport in Romania. A review of the main
operational practices related to CDO (Continuous Descent
Operations) with relevance for noise and emissions reduction, shows
the importance of working in a team when implementing new
operational practices, as well as the need to access data either
through FDR (flight data recorder) or from measurements.
- The example selected explains the difficulties one can have to
extract FDR data. Although the authors of this paper benefitted
from FDR from TAROM, the Romanian national airline, it was
difficult to be extracted, so the assessment of the airport noise
capacity focused on monitoring and measurements undertaken under
the flight path. No commonly agreed methodology or toolset
presently exists for assessing the benefits of CDA.
- Noise modeling at airports may not be sophisticated enough to
depict the benefit associated with CDA.
Key to assessment is the supply of Flight Data Recorder output,
the minor cost of provision of this could be offset against the
potentially massive fuel benefits that would accrue to airlines if
harmonized CDA can be promulgated.