SESAR demonstrator at Brussels Airport evaluates whether steeper landings reduce noise and emissions
Can flight landings with a steeper approach than usual offer benefits in terms of reducing noise impact for surrounding communities, as well as lowering CO2 emissions and fuel consumption? A new SESAR JU HERON Digital Sky Demonstrator with Brussels Airport and Belgian air navigation service provider skeyes aims to investigate.
The demonstrations will allow aircraft to test landing at steeper angles to assess the impact on noise and emissions. By initiating landings at a steeper angle, aircraft will remain at a higher altitude for a longer time and fly at lower speeds – theoretically reducing noise impact for surrounding residents. To test this, aircraft during the test period will land with steeper descent angles of 3.2 and 3.5 degrees instead of the usual 3.0.
From October to December 2024, the first phrase will see aircraft descent at 3.2 degrees on Brussel Airport’s runway 25R and 25L. From February to April 2024, the descent angle on runway 25L will be increased to 3.5 degrees.
Find out more here.
