Title 49TransportationRelease 119-73

§47509 Research program on quiet aircraft technology for propeller and rotor driven aircraft

Title 49 › Subtitle SUBTITLE VII— - AVIATION PROGRAMS › Part PART B— - AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT AND NOISE › Chapter CHAPTER 475— - NOISE › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER I— - NOISE ABATEMENT › § 47509

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

The FAA and NASA must study and find ways to cut noise from propeller-driven planes and helicopters. The study must review current research, look for cost-effective technology, and decide if more research is needed. They must invite the Department of Defense, the Department of the Interior, the airtour and aviation industries, universities, and other groups to take part. At least 280 days after August 23, 1994, they must send a report to Congress. If the agencies decide more work would help, they must run a research program with those groups to develop safe, effective, and affordable noise-reduction technology, including fixes for existing aircraft, to lessen noise effects on national parks and other areas.

Full Legal Text

Title 49, §47509

Transportation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration and the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall conduct a study to identify technologies for noise reduction of propeller driven aircraft and rotorcraft.
(b)The goal of the study conducted under subsection (a) is to determine the status of research and development now underway in the area of quiet technology for propeller driven aircraft and rotorcraft, including technology that is cost beneficial, and to determine whether a research program to supplement existing research activities is necessary.
(c)In conducting the study required under subsection (a), the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration and the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall encourage the participation of the Department of Defense, the Department of the Interior, the airtour industry, the aviation industry, academia and other appropriate groups.
(d)Not less than 280 days after August 23, 1994, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration and the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall transmit to Congress a report on the results of the study required under subsection (a).
(e)If the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration and the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration determine that additional research and development is necessary and would substantially contribute to the development of quiet aircraft technology, then the agencies shall conduct an appropriate research program in consultation with the entities listed in subsection (c) to develop safe, effective, and economical noise reduction technology (including technology that can be applied to existing propeller driven aircraft and rotorcraft) that would result in aircraft that operate at substantially reduced levels of noise to reduce the impact of such aircraft and rotorcraft on the resources of national parks and other areas.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1996—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 104–287 substituted “August 23, 1994” for “the date of the enactment of this section”.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

49 U.S.C. § 47509

Title 49Transportation

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73