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goals, which typically focus on be. But now the structure is in place aerodynamics, acoustics, aesthetics we are receiving comments from the and budget, but without overbuilding community about the positive change QUIET REVOLUTIONS the structure. it has made to noise associated A new ground run-up enclosure shields Toronto’s city centre from the primary source of aircraft noise complaints. The facility is 207.7ft with engine run-ups. We recognise Carroll McCormick reports (63.3m) wide and 216.5ft (66m) long, that engine run-ups were one of the and is sized for powered in/out main irritants for the surrounding s part of being a good operations by the Q400. The open community and we are pleased we neighbour to Torontonians, end faces roughly west – into the have implemented an approach A the Billy Bishop Toronto prevailing winds. “Ideally, the front that will mitigate the noise and City Airport has built a ground of the facility (the open side) can be demonstrate our committment to run-up enclosure (GRE) where oriented into the prevailing winds, being a good neighbour to assist the maintenance crews can perform which, when combined with suitable surrounding community,” said the aircraft engine checks. It entered aerodynamic features, addresses the airport’s Executive Vice President, service on April 19 after seven challenges associated with running Gene Cabral. months of construction work. aircraft engines at high power settings Installing special acoustic panels that block aircraft engine noise and Based on the history of noise prevent acoustic re ection. (PortsToronto) Located adjacent to Taxiway Echo, it while on the ground,” Mr Bergin complaints, the GRE seems to have is situated roughly 6,200ft (1,900m) – explained. Blotter panels are unique in that they succeeded in soothing the nerves of pretty much as far away as practical Bojan Drakul, Senior Project block the transmission of aircraft its neighbours in Toronto. – from the city. The 210-acre (85ha) Manager, Aviation with WSP added: engine noise and are highly absorbent The project has been complimented airport occupies Toronto Island, the “The optimal location of the facility in order to avoid acoustic re ection,” by Toronto’s Deputy Mayor, Denzil nearest shore of which is around 500ft was determined by PortsToronto, Mr Bergin said. Minnan-Wong who congratulated (150m) off the downtown’s shoreline. The Toronto skyline is visible through the partially constructed ground run-up enclosure. (PortsToronto) while the optimal orientation within Noise levels were measured before the airport on its noise management Although Billy Bishop Airport has this location was determined by and after the installation of the programme and applauded it for several users of the GRE, its height, powered into the facility, turned Toronto-based WSP Canada was the BDI based on maximising facility GRE. The difference between these making the signi cant  nancial blast de ector and the pavement around and positioned for an engine project consultant. As the design- usability.” The north wall, which faces readings, which is measured in investment at no cost to the taxpayer. markings are all designed to serve run-up without the use of an aircraft build subcontractor to Pave-Al, BDI , is 45.9ft (14m) decibels, is referred to as ‘insertion the Bombardier regional turboprop tug. To date, the facility has been created and installed the GRE. The high. The southern one, which faces loss’. Live aircraft acoustic testing Q400, as dictated by airport operator successfully used by operators of C$9 million project is part of the Lake , is 36.1ft (11m) high, as is serves two main purposes:  rstly, it PortsToronto. The Q400 is the only most of the aircraft that y out of the PortsToronto Air eld Rehabilitation the rear wall. allows the owner and facility users to aircraft operated by the airport’s airport, such as the Q400 and Dash- Program. “The wall heights were optimised so verify that there are no aerodynamic largest user, . Larger- 7,” said Don Bergin, President of Reno, Each GRE that BDI builds is the southern wall [facing the lake] is issues that may cause propeller sized propeller aircraft have not been Nevada-based manufacturer, Blast custom-designed for the setting, lower while that to the north was built stress, engine stalls, etc. evaluated for the GRE, and jet aircraft De ectors Inc (BDI). and speci cally takes into account higher to provide more protection due Secondly, it determines if the are not allowed to use the airport. Mississauga, Ontario-based Pave-Al the winds and area in which the to taller buildings on the city side,” facility is doing its job. “The facility is designed speci cally Limited did the civil work, including noise reduction is most important. explained Mr Drakul. “There was some concern for a Q400 aircraft to be safely the concrete foundations and paving. The objective is to meet the project The GRE has aerodynamic features vocied by members of such as acoustically-treated vents on the community prior The ground run-up enclosure is custom-sized for the the side walls, rounded top edges and to the GRE being built, Bombardier Q400. (PortsToronto) sloped leading edges. The interior primarily because no one walls are lined with over 1,700 special knew what to expect or acoustic panels. “Our patented Noise what the impact would

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