ABSTRACT
Compared to the automobile, light aircraft have a relatively small environmental impact. While general aviation may have less environmental impact per vehicle than the automobile, there is plenty of room for improvement. The two major sources of pollution are lead from avgas and noise. Tetra-ethyl lead is a toxin that causes brain damage in children, and has been removed from automotive fuel, except for some racing fuel. The second pollutant is excessive aircraft noise, primarily from a poorly muffled engine exhausts and propellers with sonic tips. There are strict regulations on noise from large commercial aircraft. Boeing and Airbus must meet the acoustic requirements of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in order to certify their aircraft. Some airports have even tighter limits, such as requiring quiet night operations. Safety and liability issues discourage change within the FAA and throughout the aviation industry.
