LANSING – State Representative Douglas Geiss (D-Taylor) today hailed the recent decision by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to approve the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport's noise-reduction plan, which centers on building a new enclosure on the airfield to help minimize the exposure of aircraft noise to surrounding residents and communities.
"This is good news for our residents and families living near one of the nation's busiest airports," Geiss said. "Airlines often conduct aircraft maintenance at night, which creates even more noise and disturbance for nearby residents. Building a structure where this maintenance takes place will help alleviate the negative effect the nightly clamor at Detroit Metro has on residents."
Airlines must regularly conduct maintenance or repairs on aircraft systems and engines followed by tests that can sometimes last up to 45 minutes and generate a substantial amount of noise. The new enclosure will be a three-sided structure designed to deflect noise from aircraft and will be strategically placed on the airfield to allow airlines convenient access for testing.
The enclosure is estimated to cost $5 million to design and construct. The Wayne County Airport Authority is working with the FAA to partially fund the construction of the project, which is expected to start in 2010.
"Studies have found that enclosures like this one can reduce noise levels by as much as 75 percent during aircraft tests," Geiss said. "This will go a long way toward absorbing the bothersome noise for the many neighbors of Detroit Metro."