The close proximity of, residential communities, then planned and now built, has led to strict noise constraints in the Tripartite Agreement, signed in 1983.

One of those constraints is the prohibition of aircraft generating “excessive noise”:

 [The TPA shall]  not permit aircraft generating excessive noise to operate to and from the Toronto City Centre Airport, with the exception of medical evacuations, other emergency use required, and during the period of the annual Canadian National Exhibition airshow.

 The Agreement then defines excessive noise: a noise level in excess of 84.0 EPNdB on takeoff (flyover), or in excess of 83.5 EPNdB on sideline at takeoff (lateral to the flight path) or in excess of 92.0 EPNdB on approach, all calculated in accordance with the procedures set out by the ICAO.

 The Port Authority’s consultants, this last February, admitted that the Q400 exceeds these limits on two of the three readings: Lateral – 94.0. The limit is 93.5. Approach – 93.1. Limit is 92.

 Clearly prohibited as “excessively noisy”. By definition.

 One might then ask - why is the Port Authority allowing this aircraft to use the Island Airport?

 And why is the City, which has the sole right to enforce the rules, letting the TPA get away with it?

Brian Iler, chair
CommunityAIR