THE MOSQUITO EFFECT: COMMUNITY REACTION TO NOISE FROM A GENERAL AVIATION AIRPORT

This study was undertaken to determine the reaction of residents to aircraft noise from a general aviation airport. The results of the study were compared with the expected responses calculated using the Australian Noise Exposure Forecast (ANEF) system. The response of residents was determined by conducting a social survey in the areas within the computed ANEF contours. The results of the survey indicated that reaction to light aircraft noise was approximately 7 ANEF units higher than expected. Validation of the ANEF contours showed that actual noise levels from aircraft over-flights were 3 ANEF units higher than the computed ANEF levels. When taking into consideration the actual noise, it was concluded that the reaction to aircraft noise from this airport was 4 ANEF units higher than would be expected for major airports. This would suggest that a 4 ANEF adjustment should be considered when planning for residential land use around general aviation airports. For the covering abstract see ITRD E107776.