Ac 91-86

o

u .s. Department
of Transportation
Federal Aviation
Administration

Subject: Guidance on Carrying Noise

Certification Documents On Board Aircraft
Operatin g Outside the United States

Advisory
Circular
Date: 02/2311 0
(niHated by: AEE-I 00

AC No: 91-86
C ha nge :

t . Purpose:
a. This Advisory Circular (Ae) provides guidance on aircraft no ise certification information
that is required by regulat ion to be carried on board an aircraft when it is operated outside of the
Un ited States.
b. This AC contains background information and three appendices. Two of the appendices
are sam ple forms that may be used to compile the informat ion required by the regulation. The
third appendix contains instructions for completing the forms.
(1) Appendix I of this AC describes the relevant in format ion to be entered on the sample
forms for appendices 2 and 3.
(2) Appendix 2 contains the sample fonn to be used for aircraft that have undergone
noi se certification under 14 CFR Part 36.
(3) Appendi x 3 contains the sample form for aircraft that, because of their age, were not
required to be no ise certificated under 14 CFR Part 36 and thus have no noise levels to enter on
certa in parts of the fo rm .

2. Co mpliance:
Under 14 CFR Section 9 1.703(a)(5), U.S. a ircraft that operate outside the United States
must carry certain noise cert ification information on board. Thi s regulation is based on the
requirements of Amendment 8 to Annex 16 of the International Civil Aviation Organi zation
(ICAO). This AC is intended to provide guidance on the appropriate noise certification
information that needs to be on board to satisfy the regulation and the ICAO requirement.
Background information on the adoption of thi s regulat ion can be fou nd in the preamble to the
final rule titled "Aircraft Noise Certification Documents for International Operations" and
published at 75 FR 9327 (March 2, 2010),
3.

AC 91-86

02/23/10

b. leAD Annex 16, Chapter I, Amendment 8, Attachment G describes three methods of
comp li ance for the noi se documentation requirement, depend ing on the certification documents
used by the ICAQ member State. The option that applies to U.S. -registered aircraft includes two
complementary documents. The first document is the U.S. airworthiness cert ifi cate, which is
already required to be carried on board. The second document must contai n the noise
certification levels for the aircraft that are provided in the airplane fli ght manual (AFM) or
rOlorcraft fli ght manual (RFM) for the aircraft.
c. To comply with Part 9 1 and Annex 16, an operator may choose to carry the appropriate
pages of the AFWRFM that contain the noise information required. In the alternative, an
operator may choose to create its own form on which to comp il e the noi se information, or it may
choose to use the sample form provided in this AC as a compilation document for the noise
information.
d. Whether choosing to use the AFM/RFM pages, its own form , or the sample form
provided here, operators are cautioned that they are responsible for the information being correct
and complete. While the AFMlRPM is an FAA-approved document, other documents on which
the noise certification information may be compiled, such as the form provided here, are the
responsibility of the operator. Incorrect transfer of the data or a failure to carryall of the
required information is a violation of the Part 91 regulation. The FAA does not approve
completed noi se documentation forms, and operators are cautioned not to refer to them as "noise
cert ificates" si nce the FAA does not have the authority to issue such certificates.
e. Regardless of the format of the information (such as the sample form or an operator's own
form), the noise documentation carried may reference only the subject ai rcraft. Aircraft may not
be combi ned on any form regardless of the similarity of model , series, or noise characteristics.
No ise documentation is not valid for regulatory compliance ifmore than one aircraft is li sted.
f. Operators of aircraft that have not, because of their age, been noise certificated under Part

36 are encouraged to use the sample form provided in Appendix 3. That form includes a
statement indicating that the noi se levels are not included because the information is not
avai lable.

3. Part 36 Certification Requirements:
a. The current U.S. regulations in Part 36 (§§ 36.1581 and 36.1583) describe the specific
no ise certification data that are required to be included in an FAA-approved AFM or RPM as
part of the original aircraft type certifi cation.
b. Some aircraft, because of their age, were not required to be noi se certificated under Part
36. The following descriptions are a restatement of the regulations found in §§36. 1(d)( I).
36.501 (a)( I) and(2), and 36.805(c). If your aircraft fits any of the descriptions, you may use the
foml shown in append ix 3 of thi s AC. These include:
(1) A transpo rt category large airplane or a jet airpl ane regardless of certification
category that:
(a) Received its type certification prior to December 1, 1969 (the date Part 36 was
adopted);

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02/23/10

AC 91-86

(b) Has not undergone an acousti cal change as described in
14 C FR §2 1.93(b);
(c) Has a maximum weight greater than 75,000 pound s;
(d) Is not powered by Pratt & Whitney Turbo Wasp JT3D series engines; and
(e) Had fli ght time prior to December I, 1973.

(2) A transport category large airplane or a jet airplane regardless of certification
category that:
(a) Received its type certification prior to December 1, 1969 (the date Part 36 was
adopted);

(b) Has not undergone an acoustical change as described in
14 CFR §2 1.93(b) ;
(c) Has a maximum weight greater than 75,000 pounds;
(d) Is powered by Pratt & Whitney Turbo Wasp JT3D series engines; and
(e) Had flight time prior to December I, 1974.
(3) A transport category large airplane or a jet airplane regardless of certification
category that:
(a) Has a maximum weight of 75,000 pounds or less; and
(b) Had fli ght time priorto December I, 1974.
(4) A propeller-driven small airplane or a propeller-dri ven commuter category airplane:
(a) For which type certification application was made before October 10, 1973; and
(b) That has not undergone an acoustical change as described in
14 CFR §21.93(b).
(5) A propeller-driven small airplane or a propeller-dri ven commuter category airplane:
(a) For which standard airworthiness certification was made before
January I, 1980;
(b) That did not have any flight time prior to January 1, 1980; and
(c) That has not undergone an acoustical change as described in
14 CFR §21.93(b).

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AC 91-86

02/23/10
(6) A hel icopter:

(a) For which type certifi cation application was made before March 6, 1986; and
(b) That has not undergone an acoust ical change as described in
14 CF R §2 1.93(b).

4. Document Avai lability: This Advi sory Circular, "Guidance on Carrying Noise Certification
Documents On Board Aircraft Operating Outside the United States," AC 91-86, is available on
the FAA's website at http://www.faa.gov/regulationsyolicies/advisory_circul arsl,

~tC~~r?(~
Lourdes Q. Maurice

Acting Director of Environment and Energy.

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02/23/10

AC 91-86
Appendix 1

Appendix 1. Instructions for using one of the Sample Forms.
The items numbered below correspond with the required information for the sample forms in
appendix 2 and appendix 3. For example, you will find "aircraft serial number" as Item 6 in both
the instructions below and on the sample form .
The following information is not new. This information is already in each operator's possession
in the FAA-approved AFM/RFM , and is part of the aircraft airworthiness certification. The
operators are responsible for accurately transferring the information to the sample form in
Appendices 2 or 3. T he sample form in Appendix 2 is for aircraft with certificated noise levels,
and the sample form in Appendix 3 is for aircraft without certificated noise levels.

1. The State (country) issuing the document.
2. The title of the document.
3. The number of the document (for operator's use).
4. The nationali ty or common mark and registration marks.
5. The manufacturer and manufacturer's designation of aircraft (model).
6. The aircraft serial number.
7. The type and model of the subject engine(s) for identification and verification of the
aircraft configuration.
8. If applicable, for propeller-driven airplanes, the propeller type and model.
9. The maximum takeoff mass and unit. Since the primary U.S. unit differs from the
international uni t, the conversion factor can be found in ICAQ Annex 5. To avoid any
confusion, a U,S. operator may choose to have both mass and weight included in item 9. An
example of a convers ion change from pounds to kilogram s is shown below:
Aircraft weight (pounds) conversion to aircraft mass (kilograms)':
To convert aircraft weight from
pound mass(lb)

to
kilogram (kg)

Multiply by
4 .53592 E-01

Example: For a Boeing 747-400F that weights 875,000 Ib,
875.000 (Ib) X 4.53592 E-Ol (kgllb) = 396.893.32 (kg)
lin 1959 the directors of the national standards laboratories of the United States, Canada, Ihe United
Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and the Union of Sout h Africa agreed on common definitions of the
customary length and mass units. They define the pound avoirdupois as 0.453592 kg. The engineering
ractice of us in Ibm fo r unds mass is obsolete.

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AC 91-86

02123110

Appendix 1
10. The maximum landing mass and unit. To avoid any confusion, a U.S. operator may
choose to have both mass and weight included in item 10. See conversion example above.
11. The noise stage of the certificated aircraft. The terminology of aircraft certification
classification in the United States is "Stage" rather than "Chapter" as used in Annex 16. The
U.S. term is recognized by leAO and is not considered a difference from Annex 16. Note that
the term "Stage" is not applicable to U.S. small airplanes cert ificated under 14 CFR part 36,
Subpart F.
12. Any modifications incorporated for compliance with applicable noise certification
standards. This item should include any modifications to the basic aircraft described in items 5,
7, and 8.
13. The lateral/full-power noise level, as certificated. Operators of U.S.-registered aircraft
would include the 14 CFR part 36 certificated noise levels, i.e., Effective Perceived Noise Level
(EPNdB).
14. The approach noise level, as certificated. Operators of U.S.-registered aircraft would
include the 14 CFR part 36 certificated noise levels, i.e., EPNdB.
15. The flyover noise level, as certificated. Operators of U.S.-registered aircraft would
include the 14 CFR part 36 certificated noise levels, i.e. , EPNdB. For small airplanes,
certificated under appendix G, it would be the maximum A-weighted sound level (dBA). For
rotorcraft, certificated under appendices H & J, it would be either EPNdB or A-weighted Sound
Exposure Level (dBA SEL). Note: AFMs issued prior to Amendment 36-24 use the tenn
"takeoff' instead of "flyover. "
16. The overflight noise level, as certificated. Operators of U.S.-registered aircraft would
include the 14 CFR part 36 certificated noise levels. For small airplanes, certificated under
appendix F, it would be maximum A-weighted sound level (dBA). For rotorcraft, certificated
under appendices H or J, it would be either EPNdB or A-weighted SEL (dBA SEL). Note: The
terminology of this noise level in 14 CFR part 36 is "flyover" rather than "overflight" as used in
Annex 16.
17. The takeoff noise level , as certificated. Operators of U.S.-registered aircraft would
include the 14 CFR part 36 certificated noise levels as used for item 16 above.
18. The sample fonn in Appendix 2 includes a statement that the individual aircraft complies
with the applicable noise requirements of the U.S regulations applicable to its type and size. The
sample fonn in Appendix 3 includes a statement that the individual aircraft pre-dates noise
requirements of its State of Registry.
19. The date on which the noise certification document was created.
20. The signature of the official of the operator attesting to the information in the noise
certification document.

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02 /23/10

AC 91-86
Appendix 2
Appendix 2. Sample Form for Aircraft With Certificated Noise Levels

1.
United States of America

2.

Aircraft Noise Certification Information

Name of Operator
(Address, Telephone, and Fax Number)

3.Document Number:
(Optional)

4. Nationality and
Registration Marks:

5. Manufacturer; Manufacturer's
Designation Of Aircraft
(Model/Series):

7. Engine:

8. Propeller: (If applicable)

9. Maximum Takeoff Weightl Mass:

pou nds(

6. Aircraft Serial Number:

10. Maximum landing Weight!
Mass:

kg)

pounds (

11 . Noise Standard : (If applicable)

kg)

Stage __

12. Additional modifications incorporated for the purpose of compliance with the applicable noise certification
standards :

13. Lateral/Full-

14. Approach Noise

15. Flyover Noise

Power Level (if
applicable)

Level (if applicable)

Level (if applicable)

16. Over-flight Noise
level (if applicable)

17. Takeoff Noise
Level (if applicable)

18. Subject Aircraft Noise levels :
The aircraft listed on this form meets the requirements of 14 CFR Part 36. The noise information on this document has
been copied from FAA-approved AFM/RFM/AOM/FCOM , number
, Revision _ , dated

19. Date

20 . Signature
(Official of Operator

This document supports compliance with 14 CFR §91 .703(a)(5) and ICAO Annex 16, Volume 1 for noise certification
documentation carried on board U.S. aircraft operating outside the United States. Information on this form has been
transferred from an FAA-approved Aircra ft Flight Manual or Rotorcraft Flight Manual by the named operator, and the
operator is solely responsible for the content.

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AC 91-86
Appendix 3

02/23/10

Appendix 3. Sample Form for Aircraft without Certificated Noise Levels
1.
United States of America
Aircraft Noise Certification Information

2.

Name of Operator
(Address, Telephone , and Fax Number)

3.Document Number:
(Optional)

4. Nationality and
Registration Marks:

5. Manufacturer; Manufacturer's
Designation Of Aircraft
(Model/Series):

8. Propeller: (If applicable)

7. Engine:

9. Maximum Takeoff WeighU Mass:

pounds(

6. Aircraft Serial Number:

11 . Noise Standard: (If applicable)

10. Maximum Landing Weightl
Mass:

kg)

kg)

pounds (

Stage _ _

12. Additional modifications incorporated for the purpose of compliance with the applicable noise certification
standards :

13. Lateral/FullPower Level (if
applicable)

14. Approach Noise
Level (if applicable)

15. Flyover Noise
Level (if applicable)

16. Over-flight Noise
Level (if applicable)

17. Takeoff Noise
Level (if applicable)

(See box 18 below)

(See box 18 below)

(See box 18 below)

(See box 18 below)

(See box 18 below)

18. Subject Aircraft Noise Levels:
This aircraft does not have 14 CFR Part 36 noise levels listed for boxes 13- 17 above because it was certificated before
Part 36 became effective .

19. Date

20. Signature
(Official of Operator)

Th is document supports compliance with 14 CFR §91 .703(a)(5) and ICAO Annex 16, Volume 1 for noise certification
documentation carried on board U.S. aircraft operating outside the United States. Information on th is form has been
transferred from an FAA·approved Aircraft Flight Manual or Rotorcraft Flig ht Manua l by the named operator, and the
operator is solely responsible for the content.

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