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Noise pollution may be a reason drone delivery _shouldn't_ happen, but don't confuse that with an actual practical obstacle. In the US, at least, the airspace (

Noise pollution may be a reason drone delivery _shouldn't_ happen, but don't confuse that with an actual practical obstacle. In the US, at least, the airspace (including drones) is regulated at a federal level by the FAA, and their mandate doesn't really include residential noise levels. For example, I've never seen noise levels discussed when it comes to private aviation, even though small planes can _definitely_ be loud enough to affect quality of life (they don't even have mufflers...) Drone regulations seem to be following a similar trajectory, with categories and rules based on mass and prop guards, and no formal measurements of perceptual noise at all. For stationary noise concerns like a highway being built, it's possible for local communities to rally and be heard, but it's entirely possible that drones will be regulated purely on safety grounds with minimal conversation about noise levels. This is the point where I should end with a call to action, but I'm honestly not sure what the path is to resolving this sort of structural blindness. If anyone with experience working in government or advocacy wants to chime in, I'd be curious to hear.

smhost 5y ago
noise pollution laws already exist. why wouldn't drones be subject to them?
octoberfranklin 5y ago
The FAA's immunities do not apply to noise sources less than 400 feet above non-airport property.
- jfrunyon 5y ago
  But the FAA does not have rules against it, nor do many localities.
krisoft 5y ago
> " For example, I've never seen noise levels discussed when it comes to private aviation,..." Then you must not have looked very much. Noise was the primary reason cited why the Concorde was not allowed to travel supersonic above the continent. But if you want something fresher then you only have to look at the Airport Noise and Capacity Act (ANCA) of 1990. Or the many airports where they have nighttime curfews because of noise concerns. It is also an everyday concern while you are learning to fly. I was doing my PPL in Europe, so my anecdote is not directly related to FAA, but I remember a ton of "local rules and customs" around noise. Think about things like "at this airport we only do engine run-up at the far end to not disturb those people", or "at this (other) airport we only use the left pattern to avoid spooking the horses on that field there"

smhost 5y ago

noise pollution laws already exist. why wouldn't drones be subject to them?

octoberfranklin 5y ago

The FAA's immunities do not apply to noise sources less than 400 feet above non-airport property.

jfrunyon 5y ago
But the FAA does not have rules against it, nor do many localities.

krisoft 5y ago

> " For example, I've never seen noise levels discussed when it comes to private aviation,..." Then you must not have looked very much. Noise was the primary reason cited why the Concorde was not allowed to travel supersonic above the continent. But if you want something fresher then you only have to look at the Airport Noise and Capacity Act (ANCA) of 1990. Or the many airports where they have nighttime curfews because of noise concerns. It is also an everyday concern while you are learning to fly. I was doing my PPL in Europe, so my anecdote is not directly related to FAA, but I remember a ton of "local rules and customs" around noise. Think about things like "at this airport we only do engine run-up at the far end to not disturb those people", or "at this (other) airport we only use the left pattern to avoid spooking the horses on that field there"