FAA Takes Steps to Lower Noise at National

WASHINGTON - The Federal Aviation Administration has ordered air-traffic controllers to receive quarterly refresher training in procedures to control noise from flights in and out of Ronald Reagan National Airport. Flying over the Potomac River will minimize noise.

The agency's actions come in response to a study that found air-traffic noise has steadily increased in some Northern Virginia neighborhoods since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The McLean Citizens Association found that noise from flights has increased an average of 3.6 decibels in eastern McLean and 2.4 decibels in Great Falls, raising noise levels in both locations to about 55 decibels. The FAA sets 65 decibels as the acceptable maximum for aircraft noise.

Flights have drifted to the Virginia side of the river since Sept. 11 because controllers and pilots want to avoid the restricted airspace in Maryland and Washington, officials said.

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