Aircraft Ground Run-up Noise Study at General Mitchell International Airport (MKE)
At General Mitchell International Airport (GMIA), aircraft engine run-up operations are conducted by airlines as part of routine maintenance procedures. These operations can generate noise levels leading to complaints from communities adjacent to the airport. In an effort to determine the current noise effect of these run-up operations and examine various mitigation measures, Wyle conducted an engine run-up noise study at GMIA.
Wyle analyzed the impact on the community of having ground run-ups conducted in different locations, with various shielding structures in place.
First, Wyle developed a database of noise levels from recordings of a DC-9, Dornier J328, and Beech 1900 aircraft - common types at GMIA. The data were formatted to work with a sound propagation model – an early version of Wyle’s Noise Simulation Model - which included the effects of wind, barriers and terrain; all major buildings on airport property were modeled as barriers in the analysis.
Then, Wyle engineers exercised the model for typical aircraft operating conditions at the existing ground run-up locations. Noise contours were integrated with a geographic information system to determine the number of people impacted in the surrounding communities. Alternative run-up locations, operating procedures, and artificial barriers were examined to provide a cost effective means to reduce community noise impact.