NOC Work Plans and Accomplishments

The MSP Noise Oversight Committee (NOC) was established in August 2002 as an advisory board to bring industry and community representatives together to address aircraft noise issues associated with MSP. The group makes policy recommendations to the Metropolitan Airports Commission.

More information about the NOC can be found in its bylaws.

NOC Work Plans and Accomplishments

Each year, the NOC establishes a Work Plan. View the 2023 NOC Work Plan. Please see the list below for past NOC accomplishments.

2022 MSP NOC Accomplishments

Received ongoing review of MSP monthly operations reports which include aircraft noise complaints, operations, runway use, noise events, and compliance with noise abatement procedures.
Evaluated citizen input received during quarterly Listening Sessions as possible discussion topics at future NOC meetings.
Completed a Fleet Mix and Nighttime Operations Assessment which, in addition to evaluating fleet mix and nighttime operations, included certificated noise levels for aircraft operating at MSP and aircraft altitude trends.
Completed the 2021 MSP Complaint Data Assessment.
Pursuant to the Second Amendment to the Consent Decree, reviewed the MSP 2021 Annual Noise Contour Report published February 2022. The report noted that based on the 303,844 total operations at MSP in 2021, the actual 60 dB DNL contour is 45% smaller than the 2007 forecast contour, and the 65 dB DNL contour is 54% smaller.
Worked collaboratively with the FAA and City of Eagan on the development of a new best practice to shift departures using the COULT fix to the parallel runways during periods of low airport demand to reduce the number of departures that overfly central Eagan.
Received updates from Delta Air Lines, Sun Country Airlines and the MAC’s Director of Air Service Development about airline schedules and impact to airport operations resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Received an overview of the new metroairports.org website.
Received a briefing from FAA on their Neighborhood Environmental Survey and FAA’s Noise Policy Review efforts.
Received an update from FAA on the VOR Minimum Operational Network Project.
Received updates on airfield construction activity.
Received updates on on-going outreach activities including the Meet the Fleet series.
Reviewed aviation-related research initiatives from FAA Center of Excellence/ASCENT, TRB, and other researchers.
Heard from MAC Chief Operating Officer, Roy Fuhrmann on updates on the organization, recent accolades, trends in passengers and operations, and future development at MSP.
Heard from Lt. Col. Denny Paulsen with the 133rd Airlift Wing of the MN Air National Guard on activity and operations.
Supported continuation of the MSP noise mitigation program through a Third Amendment to the Consent Decree and heard from MAC Commission Chair, Rick King, commending the NOC for its support to extend this program through 2032.
Elected a Community Co-Chair.
Reviewed status of the MSP Residential Noise Mitigation Program Implementation.
Passed a resolution honoring Dianne Miller for her service to the MSP Airport noise community.
Received an update on the MSP Long Term Plan and associated Stakeholder Engagement Program.

2021 MSP NOC Accomplishments

Received ongoing review of MSP monthly operations reports which include aircraft noise complaints, operations, runway use, noise events, and compliance with noise abatement procedures.
Evaluated citizen input received during quarterly Listening Sessions as possible discussion topics at future NOC meetings. Ideas collected during the Fall Listening Session were documented from citizens who expressed what they would like the NOC to consider specifically for its 2022 Work Plan.
Completed a Fleet Mix and Nighttime Operations Assessment which, in addition to evaluating fleet mix and nighttime operations, included certificated noise levels for aircraft operating at MSP and aircraft altitude trends.
Completed the 2020 MSP Complaint Data Assessment.
Pursuant to the Second Amendment to the Consent Decree, reviewed the MSP 2020 Annual Noise Contour Report published February 2021. The report noted that based on the 406,073 total operations at MSP in 2019, the actual 60 dB DNL contour is 29% smaller than the 2007 forecast contour, and the 65 dB DNL contour is 39% smaller.
Received updates from Delta Air Lines, Sun Country Airlines and the MAC’s Director of Air Service Development about airline schedules and impact to airport operations.
Received a briefing from FAA on their Neighborhood Environmental Survey and prepared and submitted a response.
Received updates on airfield construction activity.
Received regular updates from the FAA on Converging Runway Operations (CRO).
Received updates on on-going outreach activities including the Meet the Fleet series.
Reviewed aviation-related research initiatives from FAA Center of Excellence/ASCENT, TRB, and other researchers.
Heard from the MAC Executive Director and CEO, Brian Ryks on updates on the organization, recent accolades, trends in passengers and operations, and future development at MSP.
Completed the Minnetonka Mobile Sound Study Report.
Reviewed status of the MSP Residential Noise Mitigation Program Implementation.
Supported continuation of the MSP noise mitigation program in a manner consistent with the provisions of the Consent Decree and requested MAC staff explore continuing the program with the parties to the Consent Decree.
Passed a resolution honoring Pam Dmytrenko for her service to the MSP Airport noise community.
Received an update on the MSP Long Term Plan and associated Stakeholder Engagement Program.

2020 MSP NOC Accomplishments

Received ongoing review of MSP monthly operations reports which include aircraft noise complaints, operations, runway use, noise events, and compliance with noise abatement procedures.
Evaluated citizen input received during quarterly Listening Sessions as possible discussion topics at future NOC meetings. Ideas collected during the Fall Listening Session were documented from citizens who expressed what they would like the NOC to consider specifically for its 2021 Work Plan.
Completed a Fleet Mix and Nighttime Operations Assessment which, in addition to evaluating fleet mix and nighttime operations, included certificated noise levels for aircraft operating at MSP and aircraft altitude trends.
Received an overview from FAA on the VOR Minimum Operational Network Project.
Heard from NOC Chief Pilots regarding standard departure procedures, noise abatement training and missed approach procedures.
Completed the MSP Complaint Data Assessment.
Reviewed Eagan City Council flight procedure change request response from FAA. Considered proposed modifications to the request after investigating the potential impact to noise exposure and airport capacity. Communicated endorsement of one proposal to MAC Board.
Pursuant to the Second Amendment to the Consent Decree, reviewed the MSP 2019 Annual Noise Contour Report published February 2020. The report noted that based on the 406,073 total operations at MSP in 2019, the actual 60 dB DNL contour is 29% smaller than the 2007 forecast contour, and the 65 dB DNL contour is 39% smaller.
Received regular updates from the FAA on Converging Runway Operations (CRO).
Received updates from MAC on on-going development of the MSP Long Term Plan and associated Stakeholder Engagement Program.
Reviewed aviation-related research initiatives from FAA Center of Excellence/ASCENT, TRB, and other researchers.
Reviewed and adopted Flight Procedure Change Request Guidelines.
Heard from the MAC Executive Director and CEO, Brian Ryks on updates on the organization, recent accolades, trends in passengers and operations, and future development at MSP.
Completed the Runways 30L and 30R Departure Operations Report .
Received a briefing from FAA on the agency’s policy for Community Involvement in FAA NextGen projects.
Received a briefing from FAA on the agency’s new Noise Complaint Initiative.
Completed the Runways 12L and 12R Nighttime Arrivals Operations Report.
Reviewed status of the MSP Residential Noise Mitigation Program Implementation.
Received an update on the FAA’s efforts to re-evaluate noise measurement methods at U.S. airports.

2019 MSP NOC Accomplishments

Completed a Fleet Mix and Nighttime Operations Assessment which, in addition to evaluating fleet mix and nighttime operations, included certificated noise levels for aircraft operating at MSP and aircraft altitude trends.
Pursuant to the Second Amendment to the Consent Decree, reviewed the MSP 2018 Annual Noise Contour Report published on February 28, 2019. The report noted that based on the 406,913 total operations at MSP in 2018, the actual 60 dB DNL contour is 28% smaller than the 2007 forecast contour, and the 65 dB DNL contour is 39% smaller. The report also explained that there are areas of the contour, near the arrival areas for Runway 12R/30L, where additional homes are achieving candidate eligibility in the MAC’s Residential Noise Mitigation Program.
Received regular updates from the FAA on Converging Runway Operations (CRO). Communicated to FAA the full intent of resolution #02-2016 and encouraged the FAA to provide an inclusive public process for CRO environmental evaluation.
Received an update on the FAA’s efforts to re-evaluate noise measurement methods at U.S. airports.
Heard from the MAC Executive Director and CEO, Brian Ryks on updates on the organization, recent accolades, trends in passengers and operations, and future development at MSP.
Conducted a mobile noise monitoring request from the Eagan Airport Relations Commission to evaluate the location of two existing RMTs to ensure their respective current locations are optimal for collecting noise events from aircraft arriving to and departing from MSP.
Developed and executed a communication plan for increased flight traffic associated with the NCAA Final Four.
Reviewed aviation-related research initiatives from FAA Center of Excellence/ASCENT, TRB, and other researchers.
Received ongoing review of MSP monthly operations reports which include aircraft noise complaints, operations, runway use, noise events, and compliance with noise abatement procedures.
Evaluated considerations from the Airport Noise Management Benchmarking Study: 1) Opened the Aircraft Noise Complaint Policy to accept noise complaints from non-residential addresses 2) Developed a tool to provide real-time alerts to Air Traffic Control for non-compliant flights to further enhance noise abatement procedure awareness and compliance
Developed a Runway 17 Departure Operations Report through a collaborative process with Eagan residents.
Reviewed Eagan City Council requests in collaboration with the Eagan ARC, City Council, FAA, NOC and MAC board.
Provided input for integrating the MACnoise.com website into the redesign of the metroairports.org site, using input provided by the NOC.
Received updates from MAC on on-going development of the MSP Long-Term Plan and associated Stakeholder Engagement Program
Evaluated citizen input received during quarterly Listening Sessions as possible discussion topics at future NOC meetings. Ideas collected during the Fall Listening Session were documented from citizens who expressed what they would like the NOC to consider specifically for its 2020 Work Plan.
Received a report to review the residential noise mitigation program implementation status.

2018 MSP NOC Accomplishments

Completed a Fleet Mix and Nighttime Operations Assessment which, in addition to evaluating fleet mix and nighttime operations, included certificated noise levels for aircraft operating at MSP and aircraft altitude trends.
Responded to requests from MSP FairSkies Coalition which led to the formalization of a NOC committee goal: To provide residential sound mitigation out to the actual 60 dB DNL noise contour by the year 2024.
Developed a Bylaw Review Subcommittee to evaluate the NOC’s Bylaws as a result of an MSP FairSkies request for greater citizen representation. Subsequently, the NOC adopted the recommended changes to its Bylaws to improve citizen involvement.
Received an update on a joint agreement between the FAA and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) to settle litigation over the FAA’s implementation of Performance Based Navigation procedures in PHX.
Completed a Vortex Generator Noise Monitoring Study which evaluated noise measurement data from Airbus A320-family arrivals equipped with vortex generators compared to non-equipped aircraft. The study found only minor noise level differences on aircraft equipped with vortex generators.
Heard updates on the 2018 Super Bowl in Minneapolis and the FAA’s and MAC’s efforts to prepare, communicate and facilitate the associated demand on the airspace and airport facilities.
Pursuant to the Second Amendment to the Consent Decree, reviewed the MSP 2017 Annual Noise Contour Report published on February 28, 2018. The report noted that based on the 415,703 total annual operations in 2017, the actual 60 dB DNL contour is 27% smaller than the 2007 forecast contour and the 65 dB DNL contour is 38% smaller. The report also explained that there are areas of the contour, near the arrival areas for Runway 12R/30L, where additional homes are achieving candidate eligibility in the MAC’s Residential Noise Mitigation Program.
Received a Residential Noise Mitigation Program update on the status of one of the most aggressive noise mitigation programs in the world. The MAC reported spending $482.9 million to provide residential noise mitigation out to 60 dB DNL noise contour. Recent mitigation activities include 138 single-family homes and 88 multi-family structures invited to participate in the 2017 Mitigation Program, 283 single-family homes invited into the 2018 Mitigation Program, and 430 single-family homes invited into the 2019 Mitigation Program.
Sent a Runway 12L departure proposal from the Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission to the FAA for a feasibility evaluation. The FAA reported that the departure proposal was not feasible because it would reduce the available headings off Runway 12L from three to one and would also impact the capacity for Runway 17; however, FAA committed to providing additional controller training for Crossing-in-the-Corridor use during periods of low-to-mid traffic demand periods.
Reviewed Runway Use System (RUS) priorities, advocated to the FAA to utilize the RUS to the maximum extent possible, and discussed various ways of reporting runway use and airport flows.
Conducted an MSP Noise Management Benchmarking Study to detail the regulatory constraints imposed on U.S airport noise programs; provide an independent comparison of the MAC Noise Program Office to peer airports; and identify opportunities. The study found that the MAC Noise Program Office performs well amongst peer airports across each category of noise management.
Received regular updates from the FAA on the agency’s efforts to develop and install software tools to help reduce complexity, increase efficiency and minimize noise impacts during Converging Runway Operations.
Received a demonstration of the MAC’s new FlightTracker application which improves the user experience on mobile devices and provides additional analytical tools and information for users.
Heard a presentation on the MAC Noise Office’s efforts to partner with a University of Minnesota PhD student to use Machine Learning to improve the noise event and aircraft operation matching process, increase efficiency by reducing manual efforts, and enhance the quality of data reported from the 39 Remote Monitoring Towers
Received an update on the FAA’s efforts to re-evaluate noise measurement methods at U.S. airports.
Heard from the MAC Executive Director and CEO, Brian Ryks on updates on the organization, recent accolades, trends in passengers and operations and future development at MSP.
Received a presentation from ecoDemonstrator Program Lead for Boeing, Doug Christensen, who shared information about Boeings ongoing efforts and future commitments to modify aircraft to test technologies and accelerate development for better fuel economy and environmental performance.
Co-sponsored a Listening Session along with the Eagan Airport Relations Commission to listen to concerns from residents of Eagan.
Communicated noise concerns to the FAA on behalf of residents overflown by Runway 17 departures which led to a memo from the FAA Air Traffic Manager to controllers to reinforce standard operating procedures between the hours of 10:30 PM and 6:00 AM to use, to the maximum extent feasible, the Eagan/Mendota Heights Departure Corridor and the Crossing-in-the-Corridor noise abatement procedures.
Approved a mobile noise monitoring request from the Eagan Airport Relations Commission for the purposes of evaluating the location of the currently-placed permanent noise monitors to ensure their current location is optimal for collecting noise events from aircraft arriving to and departing from MSP.
Reviewed research initiatives from FAA Center of Excellence/ASCENT, TRB, and FICAN.
Received ongoing review of MSP monthly operations reports which include aircraft noise complaints, operations, runway use, aircraft noise events and compliance with noise abatement procedures.
Conducted the Fall Listening Session to collect ideas from citizens on what they would like the NOC to consider for its 2019 Work Plan.
Evaluated citizen input received during quarterly Listening Sessions as possible discussion topics at future NOC meetings.