Here’s a compilation of some our most frequently asked questions and we’ll endeavour to update this list as new questions emerge:
Who is responsible for managing aircraft noise?
The policy framework and guidelines for managing noise are set at a national and international level but as the airport operator, it is our responsibility to manage noise locally around the airport. We do that by working closely with Air Traffic Control, Airline Stakeholders, the Airport Consultative Committee, the CAA, and the Government.
Can I request that helicopters do not fly over my house?
No, there are no prohibited areas, however, as helicopters are flying visually, we request that they avoid specific locations near the airport.
Can I get a noise monitor installed at my home?
Noise monitors are deployed in the local area to monitor and record noise from both aircraft and background sources. This allows us to evaluate trends and make comparisons between noise levels at different locations. The majority of our monitors have been in their current location for an extended period of time and you can see the location of these monitors within our noise report on this portal.
Whilst it is difficult to re-locate these long-term monitors, the airport has access to a short term monitoring program where noise monitors can be located in areas for short periods. The monitors within this program are typically used to collect data for a study for to further understand a specific issue in a certain area. The monitors are placed in response to requests made through the Consultative Committee from local Parish Councils. However, requests from local residents are taken into considerations as part of the wider monitoring program.
What affects the selection of runways on any given day? And why does the selected runway differ to the wind forecast?
The most common factor is wind direction as aircraft typically take-off and land into wind. However it is not only the wind at ground level that must be considered, but also the wind at altitude, which can often be substantially different. It is for this reason that the local weather forecast may suggest a different wind direction to that in which the airport is operating.
In addition, factors such as the traffic flow, local airport works and thunderstorms may restrict or temporarily alter how runways are used at airports.
What are minimum flying heights for aircraft?
For typical arrival and departure operations to/from airports there are no minimum flying heights although pilots are encouraged to fly using the optimal noise abatement procedures, which are designed to keep the aircraft higher for longer to reduce noise.
Outside of the usual arrival/departure operations, in most regions of the world there are altitude restrictions which pilots must not descent below when they are overflying cities, towns or populous areas. Typically this is 1,000 ft or when over other non-populated terrain 500 ft. However exceptions do apply, for example:
- Military, police, medical and search and rescue operations
- in situations where the weather requires lower flying
- for helicopters flying within specified access lanes
- where the aircraft is engaged in air work for which the operator has a permit (such as media helicopters)
Planes are flying lower than they used to
Some planes are much larger than others, and the size difference can make a person perceive they are closer, when they are at the same height as previously. Whilst factors such as altitude and temperature can sometimes affect the performance of planes as they take off; for example, hot weather can affect a plane’s ability to climb as quickly as they do in the cooler winter months.
Pilots fly where they want to:
Commercial aircraft that carry passengers and/or cargo are typically operating within controlled airspace managed by Air Traffic Control (ATC). ATC act as a coordinator to ensure aircraft are safely separated and efficiently directed towards their destination. You can view where aircraft fly through this portal or by using our flight tracking tools.
Flight paths have changed:
Aircraft departing from London Stansted Airport are required to follow one of six initial flight paths, known as Noise Preferential Routes (NPRs) until they reach the required minimum altitude of 3,000ft or 4,000ft depending on the route and time of day. It is at this point that the aircraft can be released from the NPR onto a more direct heading to its destination by ATC. Our NPRs are designed to minimise the number of people impacted by aircraft noise by diverting aircraft away from some of the more built-up areas and have been in place since the airport development in the 1990s.
It is not always possible to keep aircraft contained within these NPRs. Adverse weather conditions or the presence of other air traffic may require an aircraft to deviate from the NPR before reaching the minimum required altitude. These deviations are monitored regularly by the airport, and the results are reported online.
Unlike departures, there are no predetermined routes for arriving aircraft. The only area where we can predict the flight path for arrivals is the final approach, the 8 to 10 miles of flight prior to landing where aircraft follow the guidance from the instrument landing system or ILS. Although typically arrival tracks do tend to concentrate within a similar area, ATC have to be able to direct arrivals anywhere within controlled airspace to maintain safety and efficiency.
