[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 217 (Thursday, November 10, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-27913]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: November 10, 1994]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
[Docket No. 27954]

 

Report to Congress on Quiet Aircraft Technology for Propeller and 
Rotor Driven Aircraft

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice, request for comment.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This notice requests comment and information to help fulfill a 
requirement from the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act 
of 1994 that requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to conduct a joint 
study to identify the technologies for noise reduction in propeller-
driven airplanes and rotorcraft. This notice solicits information and 
comment on specific issues; the FAA will consider all responses in 
preparing its report to Congress on the Quiet Aircraft Technology for 
Propeller and Rotor Driven Aircraft.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before December 27, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Comments on this notice should be mailed, in triplicate, to 
the Federal Aviation Administration, Office of the Chief Counsel, Attn: 
Rules Docket, Docket No. 27954, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 
915G, Washington, DC 20591.

    Comments may be inspected in Room 915G between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 
p.m., weekdays, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dr. Mehmet Marsan, Research and Engineering Branch (AEE-110), Office of 
Environment and Energy, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591; phone (202) 7703; fax 
(202) 267-5594.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Section 308 of the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization 
Act of 1994 requires the FAA and NASA to jointly conduct a noise study 
and report the results to Congress. This study shall identify 
technologies for noise reduction of propeller-driven airplanes and 
rotorcraft. The goal of the study is to determine the status of 
research and development now underway in the area of noise reduction 
technology for propeller-driven airplanes and rotorcraft, and to 
determine whether a research program to supplement existing research 
activities is necessary.
    The FAA and NASA have developed a plan for conducting the required 
study and completing the report to Congress. The plan's major elements 
include an assessment of current noise reduction technology for 
propeller driven airplanes and rotorcraft, a review of the study 
findings with appropriate groups, and preparation of the report to 
Congress.
    The FAA and NASA are in the process of determining the status of 
research and development now underway within NASA in the area of noise 
reduction technology for propeller-driven airplanes and rotorcraft.
    Participation of federal agencies will be invited through the 
Federal Interagency Committee on Aviation Noise (FICAN).

Request for Information

    In supplementing the study findings, the FAA is seeking comment and 
information regarding the following 6 questions. A discussion of each 
will be incorporated into the FAA/NASA report to Congress. Additional 
comments regarding any of the issues raised by Congress under Section 
308 of the Authorization Act are also invited. The FAA and NASA will 
review and consider all responses in preparing its report to Congress.
    1. What are the existing and emerging propeller driven airplane and 
rotorcraft noise reduction technologies?
    2. Which noise reduction technologies can be retrofitted to the 
current propeller driven airplanes and rotorcraft and what are the 
economic impacts?
    3. To what extent do existing noise reduction technologies succeed 
in reducing noise exposure?
    4. To what extent is noise from propeller driven airplane and 
rotorcraft considered a problem requiring further research efforts?
    5. What aspects of propeller driven airplane and rotorcraft noise 
create impact?
    6. What are the areas of propeller driven airplane and rotorcraft 
noise reduction technology that require further research?
    The FAA encourages public participation in this opportunity to 
comment to comply with the requirements of the Federal Aviation 
Administration Authorization Act of 1994. The data received for this 
request will be considered in preparing the report to Congress. 
Comments responding to these questions should be mailed to the office 
designated in the ADDRESSES heading and include docket number. 
Commenters who wish the FAA to acknowledge the receipt of their 
comments must submit with their comments a pre-addressed, stamped 
postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments to Docket 
No. 27954.'' The postcard will be date-stamped by the FAA and returned 
to the commenter.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on November 4, 1994.
Louise E. Maillett,
Director, Office of Environment and Energy.
[FR Doc. 94-27913 Filed 11-9-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M