Officials will study plane noise after complaints about Logan

Under threat from a Boston congressman, the Massachusetts Port Authority and the Federal Aviation Administration have agreed to analyze noise levels from jets flying into Logan International Airport, a persistent problem that has triggered thousands of complaints by residents.

A new air navigation system has allowed the FAA to more precisely plot takeoffs and landings at Logan, resulting in more planes crowding into narrower flight paths and generating more noise for homeowners below. Prior to the new navigation system, flights in and out of Logan were spread out over a wider airspace over Boston.

Massport data shows the agency received significantly more complaints about airplane noise from certain communities, including Cambridge, Somerville and Milton, in the past several years as the new navigation system went into broader use.

On Friday, Massport and the FAA said they will work with researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to analyze the new traffic patterns and consider alternatives. Massport executive director Thomas Glynn said he expected “significant results” within a year, but also warned homeowners they may not be able to resolve all the noise problems.

Read more: http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2016/10/07/faa-massport-agree-study-airplane-noise-after-rising-complaints/hIVSjqJnk5vwv6gAHzk0eI/story.html