1. What is noise?
Noise is a reality that is present in the modern world. It is defined as sounds that are undesirable or disturbing. Generally speaking, the louder a sound, the more disturbing it is. Sensitivity to noise, can vary greatly from one person to another and even from one moment to another: two sounds of the same intensity may be perceived in very different ways.
For example, some people enjoy listening to a very loud rock concert even though the sound level can sometimes exceed the hearing-damage threshold. But somebody who doesn't like rock music or is engaged in an activity that requires concentration will be disturbed if they are near the same concert.
2. How is noise measured?
Soundenergy travels in waves and ismeasuredin frequency and amplitude. The energy in asound wave can bemeasuredusing DecibelsdB(A) a unit of measurement that indicates how loud a sound is.
3.How do aircraft generate noise?
There are two main sources of aircraft noise: engine noise and aerodynamic noise. Aerodynamic noise is caused by the flow of air around an aircraft in flight. When an aircraft takes off, and is using maximum thrust, engine noise is predominant. When a plane lands, the aerodynamic noise produced can be as loud as the engine noise as the power setting of the engine is reduced.
4. Are there differences from one type of aircraft to another?
Engine technology has improvedgreatlyin recent years. Some older, smalleraircraftcan be as noisy as the latest-generation wide-body jets.The acoustic performance of each type ofaircraftare characterized bythree noise-level measurements.These three noise levelsare measuredonapproach,takeoff under full powerand, overflight.
Chapter 2 Aircraft: Olderaircraft,dating from before 1972. Theyare equippedwith earlier-generation engines. With few exceptions, theseaircrafthave notbeen allowedtoflyin Canada since 2002.
Chapter 3 Aircraft: The majority of commercialaircraftcurrently in operation.Note: Some Chapter 2aircrafthavebeen fittedwith noise-reducing devices, called "hush kits" making themsomewhatcompliant with Chapter 3 standards. They are louder thanaircraftthatare certifiedChapter 3 when built.
Chapter 4 Aircraft:A new noise-certification standard introduced in 2002. All newaircraftbuilt after 2006 must meet this standard.
5. What types of aircraft operate atthe airport?
All passenger transport aircraft operating out ofWaterloo Region are certified to Chapter 3 or Chapter 4. Where general aviation is concerned, there are still a few small Chapter 2 aircraft, but they are exceptions.
6. Why are small aircraft flying in circles around the airport and over my house?
The Region of Waterloo International Airport is home to one of the largest flight training schools in Canada. As a result YKF is the busiest training airport in Ontario.As part of their training, pilots must learn toflyin a circuit.A circuit is a standard flight pattern that provides an orderly flow of traffic for smalleraircraftusing any airport. Pilots need to perform circuits many times to achieve skill.They must stay in the circuit until they receive permission from Air Traffic Control to land.
7. Are aerobatics allowed at the Airport?
Yes - we have a designated block of air space located over the airport property. Pilots can perform aerobatics with permission from air traffic control.Due to the nature of aerobatics, it is much safer to practice near the airport. That way air traffic control can keep otheraircrafta safe distance away from the practice area.
Aerobaticsis the practice of flying actions at heights not used in normal flight.
8. I hear noise during theevening. Areairplanes allowed totake-off or arrive at the airport overnight?
On occasion aircraft arrive and depart overnight and in the early morning hours. These can include medevac and some cargo flights. Many flights operating overnight are going to and from other airports, like Hamilton and Toronto Pearson. These are called overflights. The Region of Waterloo International Airport tracks overflight noise concerns .
The airspace above the airport is available to air traffic 24 hours a day.
NAV Canadamanages all airspace in Canada.
9. What is an overflight?
Waterloo Region is located under the busiest airspace in Canada. This means, some flights you hear passing overhead at night are from aircraft travelling to other airports - these are called overflights andinclude:
passenger and cargo flights to and from Toronto Pearson International Airport
cargo flights from western Canada to Hamilton International Airport,
and, flights from the United States heading east to cross the Atlantic Ocean.
10. Can the overflight paths be changedto rural areas sofewer people are disturbed?
There are no approved or unapproved flight paths over the ground. Aircraft may fly over all areas in our community. Certain flight paths are chosen to reduce the use/cost of fuel, and the flight time.
11. If these aircraft are not landing at the Region of Waterloo International Airport, why can we hear them?
Many factors cause aircraft noise to be heard. Aircraft arriving at Hamilton or Toronto Airport start their descent over Waterloo Region. These aircrafttypically are between 6,000 and 12,000 ft. above the ground.
Temperature and moisture in the air can also change the intensity of a sound. For example, when the air does not hold any moisture or when there is minimal humidity sound travels farther. Other factors that change the intensity of the sound include:
wind speed and direction
precipitation
cloud cover and height
Also, the type and size of an aircraft may have a significant impact. Some overflights are cargo aircraft which may be older, the Boeing 737-200, Boeing 727, or DC-10. Transport Canada approve these aircraft to operate in Canada and they meet all noise emission standards.
12. Howcan I submit an aircraft noise concern?
You can submit an aircraft
Noise Concernonline or by calling 519-648-2256.
13. How will my noise concern be addressed?
The Airport tracks, analyses and responds to all noise concerns upon request. We have access to aircraft data within 10 nautical miles of the airport and up to 15,000 feet above sea level.We analyze each noise concern using our Flight Tracking System. These results are are shared with Transport Canada upon request.
14. What are the Airport's hours of operation?
The Airport is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days a year. There are no night time restrictions or curfews. Pilots have permission to arrive and depart at the airport any time of day.Aircraft operations between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. are rare (less than 1% of all arrivals and departures each year.)
15. Is there a curfew for aircraft arriving and departing at the airport?
There are no curfews. The airport is a public-use facility, open 24-hours a day, and aircraft are permitted to depart and arrive without restriction. Most commercial airports operate in this fashion.
Circuit flightsfor training are not permitted on Runway 08between 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. EST. This restriction avoids flight training circuits over the built up areas of Kitchener, west of the airport.
16. Whodetermines whichrunway is used for a take-off or landing?
Weather conditions dictate runway use in most cases because aircraft land and take off into the wind. Operating conditions are also a consideration, these include:
Runway length
Aircraft type
Air traffic
Construction
For example, a temporary runway closure for repair work will move traffic onto the other runway.
The Airport has published suggested Preferential Runway in the Canada Air Pilot, a document issued by NAV CANADA.The Airport's Preferred Runway Rules state that:between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. EST (local time) and consistent with safety of operations, pilots should select runways in the following order of priority:
| DEPARTURES | ARRIVALS |
| 1. | Runway 08 | 1. | Runway 26 |
| 2. | Runway 14 | 2. | Runway 32 |
| 3. | Runway 32 | 3. | Runway 14 |
| 4. | Runway 26 | 4. | Runway 08 |
17. What are the scheduled flight times for airlines?
For an up to date schedule of flight times visit:
Arrivals & Departures.
