Aircraft noise certificate

Noise databases

Databases of CAA approved aircraft noise configurations and their approved noise certification levels can be found here:

• CAAdB Heavy Prop 19 September 2024 (XLSX document)
• CAAdB Helicopters 01 November 2024 (XLSX document)
• CAAdB Jet Airbus 19 September 2024 (XLSX document)
• CAAdB Jet Boeing 01 November 2024 (XLSX document)
• CAAdB Jet Others 01 October 2024 (XLSX document)
• CAAdB Light Prop 01 November 2024 (XLSX document)

For any configuration of aircraft for which a UK Noise Certificate is required which is not in one of the databases of approved noise certification levels please contact CAA on certnoise@caa.co.uk. TC/STC holders wanting CAA noise certification for an aircraft configuration not approved by CAA will need to formally apply to UK CAA for approval by following these links, Guidance on Type Design Approval for the issue of a TC or RTC and Guidance on minor and major changes or repairs.

Aircraft noise certification levels approved by EASA up to and including 31 December 2020 are considered to be also approved by UK CAA. Noise certification levels approved by EASA since then are not automatically approved by UK CAA.

London Heathrow, London Gatwick and London Stansted Airports Noise Restrictions Notice

At the start of each summer and winter season the London Heathrow, London Gatwick and London Stansted Airports Noise Restrictions Notice is published. The restrictions are set by the Department for Transport. They are based on a Quota Count system whereby each aircraft type is classified and awarded a quota count (QC) value depending on its certified noise levels. A link to the current notice can be found on the NATS AIP Supplements webpage.

The QC values have until now been appended to the AIP Supplement. With the publication of the Winter 2024-2025 AIP Supplement the QC values are no longer appended to the AIP. Instead they can be found in the CAA noise databases, in which QC values for departure and arrival are presented for each record.

For any aircraft for which noise classification is required but which is not in one of the databases of approved aircraft noise configurations please contact the Civil Aviation Authority by email at certnoise@caa.co.uk, quoting ‘London Night Noise’ in the title.

Noise Certificates

The Noise Certificate is a document issued by the UK CAA according to the procedures described in Part 21, Sub-part I, to each aircraft registered in the UK to which the noise certification regulations apply. The certificate attests the noise certification status of the aircraft to which it is issued. The certificate’s format and the information it contains is consistent with Option 1 presented in Attachment G of ICAO Annex 16, Volume I.

The requirements for an aircraft to be issued with a Noise Certificate can be found in Part 21 (21.B.425), and for non-Part 21 aircraft in the Air Navigation (Environmental Standards for Non-EASA Aircraft) Order 2008/3133.

Any aircraft issued with a Certificate of Airworthiness and for which the standards of ICAO Annex 16, Volume I, apply needs to be issued with a Noise Certificate. These standards are referenced in Part 21 (21.B.85), and for non-Part 21 aircraft in the Air Navigation (Environmental Standards for Non-EASA Aircraft) Order 2008/3133. The applicability of these standards is based on the configuration (aeroplane, helicopter or tilt-rotor), the date of application for the type certificate or approval of a change in type design, and maximum take-off mass.

Note that not every aircraft on the UK Register is obliged to have a Noise Certificate. For example there is no legislation requiring Noise Certificates for Permit to Fly aircraft and some older aircraft. Note also that microlight aeroplanes are now exempt from the need to be issued with a Noise Certificate (Official Record Series 4, No. 1502).

For any questions about Noise Certificate requirements, contact the UK CAA noise certification team via certnoise@caa.co.uk. 

Noise Certificate Validity

A Noise Certificate is issued for an unlimited duration subject to the limitations described in Part 21 21.A.211 of Regulation No 748/2012.

You will need to apply for a new Noise Certificate in the following cases:

• If the aircraft’s registration mark changes.
• If there is any change to the aircraft’s configuration that affects the aircraft’s noise characteristics (e.g. MTOW/MLW or a change to the aircraft’s engines and/or propellers).
• If it is discovered that any of the details entered on the Noise Certificate are not correct for the aircraft to which it was issued.

You will not need to apply for a new Noise Certificate in the following cases:

• When the aircraft is transferred from one UK operator/owner to another UK operator/owner and retains the same registration mark.
• If the noise record in the databases against which the certificate was issued is revised. Although not required, you may request that a new Noise Certificate be issued against the revised record.

If you are unsure as to the validity of your certificate, contact the UK CAA noise certification team via certnoise@caa.co.uk.

CAA’s other functions relating to aviation noise

Other parts of the CAA also engage in functions relating to aviation noise. Please see our environmental noise page for further information.