Council casts doubts on new double-decker plane noise claims
Hounslow Council has cast a doubt on Government claims that a new double-decker plane is quieter than its rivals.
The Airbus A380 Superjumbo made its first commercial flight into London on Tuesday 19th March, amidst claims that it had been modified to meet Heathrow’s most stringent noise requirements.
Aviation Minister, Jim Fitzpatrick, who was at Heathrow for the landing, said that the aircraft was "quieter, cleaner, smarter and greener than existing commercial planes".
But initial measurements taken by Hounslow Council’s environmental officers found the noise level of the aircraft was on a par with its major commercial rival, a Boeing 747.
Cllr Barbara Reid, the council’s lead member for aviation said, "Local people are already concerned that the A380 will be flying over their homes at around 5am in the morning. For the minister to make dubious claims about the superjumbo being quieter is rubbing salt into the wound.”
Hounslow Council will be inviting the minister to respond to its findings.
Flight number SQ 308 Singapore-London arrived at Heathrow airport at 14:45 on Tuesday 18th March 2008 having left Singapore at 09.00 local time. The noise level of the aircraft, as measured by environmental officers from Hounslow Council, was found to be 96.3 dB (more properly 96.3 dBLAF,max), a very similar noise level to its major commercial rival a Boeing 747.
March 19, 2008