Very Restrictive EPA Noise Proposal, FAA 14 CFR Part 36

I cannot overemphasize the importance of you reading the new EPA Noise Certification Proposal and making comments to the address listed on page 6856. We are trying to get our Cessna 180, 182 and 185 new dual exhaust systems approved. The problem as I have been told over and over is that if these new noise certification proposals become law there is not a 180, 182 or 185 that can pass the tests. The propellers make too much noise. We will be required to install our exhaust system on one of these same planes. If they cannot pass the test now there is no way we will pass with tougher new rules. The exhaust noise would probably not have much of an effect on the overall noise measurements. I also learned that in order for a DER to pass a recent test they had to cut back power by 400 RPM’s to reduce the noise to acceptable limits. This also has to published in the flight manual supplement. I have been told that the microphone is placed 8250’ down the runway from the point of brake release. The plane then has to perform 6 take offs at maximum rate of climb over the microphone. I don’t think that there are many of you that would feel very comfortable pulling the power back 400 rpm’s after rotation. I think it is going to create some inherent safety problems. I am encouraging all of you to contact the appropriate organizations listed in this proposal. I am not a noise DER by any means I just am passing on what I have learned from licensed noise DER’s over the past couple weeks. If I learn of anything new I will update this bulletin.

Click the folowing links to read the bulletin.
Bulletin 1
Bulletin 2

Dane Wagner, President, Leading Edge Exhaust Systems, LLC