book/book chapter

Multifactor Analysis of Operational Factors Contributing to Aircraft Overflight Noise Variation

Publication Date

January 3, 2025

Author(s)

Melissa Lepe, Marek Homola, Clement Li, Trinity Lee, Phillip Hood, Jacqueline (Jacquie) Huynh, R. John Hansman

Abstract

Significant variations in measured overflight noise levels are observed from airport monitor networks for similar aircraft types flying the same departure and arrival procedures. Various factors, including aircraft configuration, airline, weather, and flight procedure, as well as their interactions, have the potential to impact recorded noise levels. To assess these impacts, various multifactor analysis approaches are applied to coupled operational surveillance data, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather data, and noise monitor recordings. A year of Boeing 737-800 departure surveillance data and associated noise monitor recordings from the Port of Seattle Aircraft Noise Monitoring System is obtained for the analysis. Noise monitor recordings are assessed via multivariate linear regression, gradient-boosted decision trees, and clustering to determine which factors and their interactions correlate to increasing or decreasing noise levels. The analysis of Boeing 737-800 noise monitor data reveals that altitude, position, true airspeed, thrust, and airline significantly impact noise levels.

Suggested Citation
Melissa Lepe, Marek Homola, Clement Li, Trinity Lee, Phillip Hood, Jacqueline L. Huynh and R. John Hansman (2025) “Multifactor Analysis of Operational Factors Contributing to Aircraft Overflight Noise Variation”, in AIAA SCITECH 2025 Forum. American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Available at: https://arc.aiaa.org/doi/abs/10.2514/6.2025-2004 (Accessed: August 21, 2025).