Here\u2019s a brief guide on what you need to know.<\/p>\n
Who does this impact?<\/h4>\n
All foreign and local Part 91 and 135 operators using airports within the EU, with an aircraft that fits the following categories:<\/p>\n
MTOW of 34,000kg (75,000 pounds) or more. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em>OR<\/p>\n An aircraft with 19 passenger seats or more<\/em>. Excluding crew seats. <\/strong>For this category, it’s important to note that EASA looks at the number of passenger seats as per the aircraft type’s certified ability<\/a>, and not the number of seats actually installed on your particular aircraft – i.e. if you’ve only got 18 pax seats installed, but your aircraft is able to carry more, you’ll need to register for the Environmental Portal.<\/em><\/p>\n Submit this form<\/a> via email to environmentalportal@easa.europa.eu<\/a>.<\/p>\n There are two options for the information you\u2019ll then need to provide:<\/p>\n Either:<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em>A stand-alone noise certificate issued by a state of registry. It will need to include your aircraft\u2019s reg, its configuration and noise levels.<\/p>\n If your state issues them, a stand-alone noise certificate like this example may be the easiest option.<\/p><\/div>\n Or<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em>Get that scanner warmed up. Pages from your aircraft\u2019s flight manual which provide the following:<\/p>\n Sadly, nope. The info is similar, but this is a separate requirement. The EU has nominated EASA to be the responsible authority tasked with collecting this info in a separate database.<\/p>\n As the FAA doesn\u2019t currently issue stand-alone certificates, that only leaves the second option. Make sure you also carry this information onboard in case you win yourself a ramp check.<\/p>\n The shortest answer is noise. The slightly longer one is this:<\/p>\n As traffic levels continue to grow at EU airports, noise is becoming more of a problem. The challenge is how to accommodate this growth in harmony with densely populated areas around airports \u2013 especially at night.<\/p>\n As the issue of noise grows in the EU, the challenge is on to find a fair answer.<\/p><\/div>\n If sweeping noise restrictions were simply decided on a case-by-case basis, they could interfere with commercial competition or make the whole aviation network less efficient by under-utilising precious capacity.<\/p>\n Instead, ICAO suggests what they call a \u2018balanced approach\u2019 to noise. Or in other words, using a coherent and consistent method to measure noise across the board. From there they can use the actual data from aircraft operating in the EU to introduce consistent and fair operating restrictions throughout the EU.<\/p>\n The database is a big part of this. It\u2019s about allowing aviation to grow in a sustainable way. Or in other words, without riling up the neighbours.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not publicly available. Only the following groups will be able to access it:<\/p>\n They all have to apply for access first too.<\/p>\nYep, that\u2019s us. What exactly do we need to do?<\/h4>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ops.group\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Screen-Shot-2022-01-05-at-5.08.04-pm-730x1024.png\")
\n
Isn\u2019t this the same thing as the Third Country Operators Portal (TCO)?<\/h4>\n
A head\u2019s up for \u2018N\u2019-Reg aircraft.<\/h4>\n
What\u2019s this all about?<\/h4>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ops.group\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/j-1024x576.jpg\")
Who can actually view the data?<\/h4>\n
\n
Other things to look at (if you\u2019re really keen)<\/h4>\n