Noise-abatement measures
Airlines and pilots are required to comply with the noise abatement procedures in effect at Montréal–Trudeau in order to reduce noise disturbances generated by air traffic.
Takeoff and landing procedures
Planes must take off and land into the wind. At Montréal–Trudeau, the prevailing winds are southwesterly, so aircraft usually land and take off in the direction of Lake St. Louis (southwest).
In addition to the exceptional procedures during restricted operating hours (see below), jet pilots are required to follow these procedures at all times:
- After takeoff, the plane must climb rapidly along a straight-line trajectory to a minimum altitude of 915 metres (3,000 feet) before starting a turn.
- While landing, the aircraft must be aligned with the runway’s centre line on final approach, respecting an angle of descent of 3 degrees or more; pilots must also adjust the thrust/drag speed on descent, to the extent that safety permits, in order to achieve a minimum noise level.
Operating restrictions during certain hours
Montréal–Trudeau Airport is open 24 hours a day to propeller planes and jets weighing less than 45,000 kilograms. As for jets weighing more than 45,000 kilograms, normal hours are between 7 a.m. and midnight for take-offs and between 7 a.m. and 1 a.m.for landings.
ADM does, however, have the right and the authority to make exceptions to these restrictions for medical emergencies, delays beyond a carrier’s control and adverse weather conditions.
A strict internal policy applies in such cases. In particular, exceptions granted for scheduled flights represent a very small percentage of total traffic and they must be supported by strong operational reasons; furthermore, exceptions are contingent upon adherence to the noise abatement measures in force.
ADM grants exceptions to certain aircraft for departures before 7 a.m. and for late arrivals. However only the quietest aircraft are eligible.
Restrictions on engine testing
Engine testing at high RPMs for inspection or maintenance purposes is forbidden between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. Special permission may be granted in some cases, such as when scheduled departure time is prior to 8 a.m. The duration of night-time engine testing has been restricted since November 2004. In addition, engine testing at high RPMs must be performed in a designated area in order to minimize noise disturbances for nearby residents.
Assignment of priority runways for night flights
Night-time runway use is determined by a priority runway assignment system outlined in the Canada Air Pilot CAP guide. On February 9, 2009, Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport reinstated the original runway assignment system for night flights, which prioritizes the use of Runways 24 for landings and takeoffs when win conditions permit.
This system had been changed in September 2006 in an attempt to minimize sound impact through, among other measures, the use of lower-noise flight paths. The original system was reinstated due to the suspension of the left-turn takeoff procedure from Runway 06L, which was not meeting the required performance criteria.