Luton and District Association for the Control of Aircraft Noise

Noise at Luton
Published information
The main source of information about the noise generated by aircraft using Luton Airport is contained in the Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) which is published jointly by the operator, LLAOL, and Luton Borough Council (LBC). These can be obtained from both organisations' web sites (click link above).
The AMR reports the following noise information:
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Summary data from the 3 noise monitors, one to the east and 2 to the west, which record the sound levels of departing flights. The peak noise measurements (LAmax) are presented separately for the night (23:00 to 06:00, 07:00 on Sundays) and day periods during which different limits apply;
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Average noise (Leq) contours for the standard 92 summer days. These are estimated by the INM computer model and are produced for the 16-hour day period and the 8-hour night at 3 dB(A) intervals. The contour areas together with the numbers of dwellings and the population living within the contours are estimated and compared with data from earlier years. Night noise contours are also produced for each calendar quarter;
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Analyses of the noise complaints received from the public, giving the locations and general causes of complaints;
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Plot density maps showing how frequently locations are overflown; and
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Track and swathe charts showing where departing aircraft should be flying.
The AMR also contains information about passenger and flight numbers, aircraft types operating, routes and the runway operating mode (east/west).
In December 2007, the Department for the Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) published the noise maps for all qualifying UK airports which are required to comply with the European Union's noise regulations. The indicators for these contours are Lden and Lnight (see About Noise for explanations of the various indicators).
LADACAN's Noise Maps
Those affected by aircraft noise seem to perceive it differently from the way it is depicted in official average noise (Leq) figures which include the quiet periods between 'planes. The public experiences aircraft noise as individual noisy events and often submits complaints to the Airport about these. The vast majority of complaints come from locations well outside the published noise contours.
To try to provide a more useful guide to noise around the Airport than in the published sources, two LADACAN members have produced a noise map using simple noise measurements in the area around the Airport.
Night noise
Noise from aircraft is particularly and can have significant impacts on health: see our page dedicated to night noise at Luton.