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Queens Pol Proposes Legislation for Quieter Airplanes

By Katie Honan | December 6, 2013 4:06pm
 Under the new legislation, commercial airlines would have to transition quieter planes into their fleet
Under the new legislation, commercial airlines would have to transition quieter planes into their fleet
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Courtesy Rep. Crowley

EAST ELMHURST — Non-stop plane noise could be a thing of the past if a local politician's proposed legislation glides through Congress.

Rep. Joe Crowley announced new legislation at LaGuardia Airport on Friday that would require commercial airlines to fly quieter planes, reducing the roar of jet engine noise for those living near area airports.

“Airports can never be perfect neighbors, but we can take steps to make them better neighbors,” Crowley said. “The Silent Skies Act will help achieve that goal by requiring airlines to begin stocking their fleets with newer, quieter aircraft."

Under the Silent Skies Act, the Federal Aviation Administration would have to issue regulations that would require commercial airlines to meet new noise standards that are much lower than the current decibel level.

If the bill passes, airlines would have to replace the current engines with quieter engines at a rate of 25 percent of their fleets every five years — so commercial airplanes wouldn't meet the quieter standards by 2035.

The bill would also encourage research into developing quieter engines, something that isn't currently funded by the government, Crowley said.

He was joined for the announcement by politicians and civic groups who from areas plagued by plane noise.

Rep. Grace Meng, who represents parts of Queens, said noise from both LaGuardia and JFK airports "continues to ruin the quality of life in Queens."

“It is imperative that we do all we can to reduce it, and requiring airlines to fly quieter aircrafts would go a long way towards achieving that critical goal," she said.