Glossary
A-Weighted
Referred to as dB(A), convey the loudness of a sound by accounting for the varying sensitivity of the human ear to difference frequencies.
Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP)
A publication containing aeronautical information of a lasting character essential to air navigation. The AIP contains details of regulations, procedures and other information pertinent to the operation of aircraft.
Aircraft noise contours
Contours that display the aircraft noise exposure patterns around an airport. These contours help land-use planning of acceptable development in close proximity to the airport.
Airport Master Plan
The principal planning document required under the Airports Act 1996, setting out a 20-year plan for each leased federal airport.
Airport-lessee company
A Commonwealth-owned airport can only be leased to a company. The company is called an airport- lessee company, which in the case of Melbourne Airport is Australia Pacific Airports Corporation Limited (APAC).
Airservices Australia
Government-owned corporation which provides national air navigation service and aviation rescue fire-fighting services.
Australian Noise Exposure Concept (ANEC)
A map of noise contours based on aircraft operations at an airport in the future. ANEC maps are based on assumptions of future operations. These contours form the basis of an ANEF.
Australian Noise Exposure Forecast (ANEF)
A system developed as a land-use planning tool to control encroachment on airports by noise- sensitive buildings. ANEFs are the official forecasts of future noise exposure patterns around an airport and they constitute the contours on which land-use planning authorities base their controls.
Australian Noise Exposure Index (ANEI)
Contours developed under the ANEF framework showing historic noise exposure patterns used in environmental reporting and benchmarking
Buffer Zone
Buffer zones have been included in flight path diagrams within the MDP and Noise Tool to highlight the design stage of the airspace/flight paths. A concept design has been prepared for the MDP and further refinement will occur during the detailed airspace design process should the MDP be approved.
The Flight paths are depicted in the MDP and Noise Tool as a broad band or swathe based around a centreline track it is not possible for aircraft to track precisely along a single line.
Build scenario
The scenario in which the M3R is constructed and operational in accordance with this MDP.
Civil Aviation Safety Authority
An independent statutory authority responsible for regulating aviation safety in Australia and the safety of Australian aircraft overseas.
Code C aircraft
An aircraft that has a wingspan of between 24 metres and up to but not including 36 metres. Examples are the Airbus A320 series and Boeing 737 series.
Code E aircraft
An aircraft that has a wingspan of between 52 metres and up to but not including 65 metres. Examples are the Airbus A330 and Boeing 747-400/787
Code F aircraft
An aircraft that has a wingspan of between 65 metres and up to but not including 80 metres. An example is the Airbus A380.
Continuous Climb Operations (CCO)
An aircraft operating technique allowing the execution of a flight profile optimised to the performance of aircraft, leading to significant economy of fuel and environmental benefits in terms of noise and emissions reduction.
Continuous Descent Operations (CDO)
An aircraft operating technique in which an arriving aircraft descends from an optimal position with minimum thrust and avoids level flight to the extent permitted by the safe operation of the aircraft and compliance with published procedures and ATC instructions.
Controlled airspace
Airspace of defined dimensions within which air traffic control services are provided in accordance with airspace classifications.
Green Wedge Zone
A State land-use planning zone to control use of the land and to recognise, protect and conserve green wedge land for its agricultural, environmental, historic, landscape, recreational and tourism opportunities, and mineral and stone resources.
Instrument Approach Procedure
A series of predetermined manoeuvres that provide specific protection from obstacles and terrain. An IAP is used for the orderly transfer of an aircraft from the end of the STAR to a landing, or to a point from which a landing may be executed visually.
Instrument flight rules
Procedures to govern flight when the pilot is unable to navigate using visual references under visual flight rules. This involves flying by reference to instruments in the flight deck and navigating by reference to electronic signals.
Instrument landing system
A navigational aid that provides both directional and glide slope guidance for aircraft landing on a runway at an airport.
LAeq
The equivalent continuous sound level is the energy average of the A-weight noise level over a sample period.
LAmax
The maximum A-weighted noise level that is either predicted or recorded over a period.
Major Development Plan
A requirement under the Airports Act 1996 for airport-lessee companies to provide information to the Commonwealth Government and the public about significant planned development on leased federal airport sites.
Melbourne Airport Environs Overlay
A planning control used to limit noise-sensitive uses and the impacts of aircraft noise on development through measures designed to minimise the noise. The areas where these controls apply are determined by an airport’s forecast aircraft noise exposure contours (ANEF).
‘Melbourne Basin’
Refers to the collective airspace around Melbourne including Melbourne Airport, Essendon Fields Airport, Moorabbin Airport, Avalon Airport and RAAF Base Point Cook.
N-above
Contours indicating the number of noise events that exceed a certain level. For example, an N70 contour level shows the number of events above 70 dB(A)
No Build (BAU) scenario
A scenario in which M3R is not constructed, in which Melbourne Airport remains a two-runway airport for the indefinite future.
Noise Abatement Procedure/s (NAPs)
Specify which operating mode will be selected based on the available modes due to meteorological conditions, time of day, demand and a set of mode priorities
Standard Instrument Departure (SID)
A standard route identified in an instrument departure procedure by which aircraft should proceed from take-off phase to the en-route phase of a flight.
Standard Terminal Arrival Route (STAR)
A standard route identified in an approach procedure by which aircraft should proceed from the en-route phase of a flight to an initial approach fix.
Urban Growth Boundary
A planning scheme boundary set to control urban sprawl by mandating that the area inside the boundary be used for higher-density urban development, and the area outside be used for lower- density non-urban development.
Visual Flight Rules
A set of regulations under which a pilot operates an aircraft in weather conditions generally clear enough to allow the pilot to see where the aircraft is going.
Noise Scale dB(A) scale
Noise tool updates
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| May 9th, 2025 |
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| April 7th, 2022 |
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| March 27th, 2022 |
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| February 18th, 2022 |
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| February 14th, 2022 |
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| January 30th, 2022 |
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