Federal Aviation Administration (FAR) Part 150 Study is a voluntary noise exposure and land use compatibility study prepared by an airport to identify existing noise exposure, identify potential future noise exposure, evaluate various alternatives to reduce the number of people affected by aircraft noise and to make recommendations as to viable noise abatement/mitigation measures to reduce the number of people affected by noise. It has a five-year planning horizon and is the only legal planning document, other than environmental documentation, that an airport sponsor undertakes. The Study identifies and evaluates two components, aircraft noise and land use, both existing and future. Both of these components have equal importance in the evaluation of alternatives and in making recommendations for airport environs compatibility.
The Study consists of two distinct but complimentary portions, Noise Exposure Maps and a Noise Compatibility Program. These are submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration for review. The Noise Exposure Maps are accepted by the Federal Aviation Administration and the Noise Compatibility Program is either approved or disapproved by the FAA. Approved measures contained in the Noise Compatibility Program are then eligible for federal funding.

ProposedSchedule
The Study is programmed to take approximately twelve to eighteen months to complete up to the submittal of the maps and document to the Federal Aviation Administration. After acceptance of the Noise Exposure Maps, the FAA has 180 days to approve/disapprove the Noise Compatibility Plan.

Abbreviated Scope of Services
FAR Part 150 Study.
Element One. Study Mobilization
This Element consists of preparing the Scope, contract documents, roles and responsibilities and responding to FAA/Port comments.
Element Two. Public Outreach Program & Public Involvement Plan
Develop and define the Public Involvement Plan and Program. Determine Committee composition, number of Open Houses, Committee meetings, and other Outreach elements.
Element Three. Inventory of Existing Conditions
Collect and evaluate existing maps, plans, programs and other pertinent documents. Collect and map existing land use and adopted future land use plans, noise complaint data and other applicable data.
Element Four. Forecasts
Develop fleet mix (aircraft types) for the future conditions, based on the fifth year after submittal of the document, 2008.
Element Five. Noise Measurements
Take on-site noise measurements at several locations around the airport to determine actual aircraft noise levels operating at Spirit of St. Louis Airport.
Element Six. Existing Noise Exposure
Based on actual aircraft operations and type, generate an existing noise contour and supplemental noise metrics.
- Annual DNL
- Typical SEL
- Speech Interference
- Sleep Interference
Element Seven. Future Noise Exposure
Based on forecasted aircraft operations and type, generate a future noise contour and supplemental noise metrics.
- Annual DNL
- Typical SEL
- Speech Interference
- Sleep Interference
Element Eight. Noise Affects
Based on existing land use, and existing and future noise contours, identify and quantify land use types and population affected by aircraft generated noise.
Element Nine. Noise Compatibility Alternatives
FAR Part 150 mandates a range of general noise compatibility actions, which must be considered during a Part 150 Study. These actions, supplemented with the actions suggested by the general public, airport users, and past efforts will be considered.
Element Ten. Land Use Alternatives
Based on selected Noise Compatibility Alternatives, land use alternatives will be developed and evaluated in an effort to minimize the number of people affected by aircraft noise levels.
Element Eleven. Noise Compatibility Plan
This Element contains the Noise Abatement Plan Recommendations, both operational and land use, that will form the basis of the Noise Compatibility Program that is submitted to the FAA for approval.
Element Twelve. Compliance Program
The Compliance Program consists of the Noise Exposure Maps (NEM) and the Noise Compatibility Program, which is submitted to the FAA subsequent to the Public Hearing and concurrence by the County.

Study Policies
• The proposed Part 150 noise mitigation program will strive to improve the overall noise environment, not shift noise from one residential Community to another.
• Programs which benefit a Community without adversely affecting another Community will be given priority.
• Programs for reducing the highest noise levels affecting people without adversely affecting another Community will be given priority.
• Programs subject to FAR Part 161 will be considered as a measure of last resort in this Part 150 Noise and Land Use Study, but are open for discussion.
• Policies affecting the operating role of the airport must conform to the established future role of Spirit of St. Louis Airport.
• The Part 150 Noise and Land Use Study will strive for "a balanced approach producing realistic and practical solutions fair to both aviation and non-aviation interests

Study Goals
• To develop an understanding of existing and probable future noise levels at and surrounding Spirit of St. Louis Airport;
• To develop a shared vision among Spirit of St. Louis Airport and its surrounding communities regarding land use compatibility and noise exposure;
• To identify and recommend to the FAA and to local jurisdictions surrounding Spirit of St. Louis Airport reasonable land use and operational measures that would, if implemented, decrease the number of people affected by noise from aircraft operating at the Airport;
• To develop realistic noise mitigation and abatement programs, while taking into account historical and existing programs, federal legislation and regulations, including those related to interstate commerce and discrimination, eligibility criteria, financial feasibility, and public health;
• To provide for meaningful constituent input leading to a realistic, effective, implementable, achievable noise abatement and mitigation program;
• To accommodate existing and forecast aviation demand at Spirit of St. Louis Airport in a safe and efficient manner, while not changing the present role of the airport in the National Airspace System, and taking into account the need of persons who live, work, or own property near the airport for a quieter environment;
• To inform area residents and businesses about the study and to provide opportunities for their input to the study; and
• To recognize the legitimate interests and concerns of the various members of study committees, the public, and other interested parties.