Noise from Emerging Technology Aircraft (ETA) - Experience from Brazil

(updated on 06 Sep. 2022)

Currently (as of 2022) there are no specific noise certification requirements applicable to the type design certification process of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), as well as no corresponding noise-related operational rules (e.g. noise restrictions, land use planning guidelines, etc.) in Brazil. The National Civil Aviation Agency of Brazil (ANAC) has introduced a broad and complete set of airworthiness rules applicable to unmanned aircraft operations in May 2017, when it issued RBAC-E No. 94 whose initial issue is still effective. RBAC-E No. 94 Amendment 00 currently classifies UAS based primarily on the aircraft maximum takeoff mass (MTOM).

There are no noise certification standards or rules for unmanned aircraft with MTOM below 150 kg. For unmanned aircraft with take-off mass greater than 150 kg, the applicable type design certification requirements correspond to those applied to conventional aircraft under the Brazilian procedural and noise regulations: RBAC 21 (Certification Procedures for Products and Articles) and RBAC 36 (Noise Standards: Aircraft Type and Airworthiness Certification), respectively.

ANAC has published a three-stages UAS regulatory roadmap whose second stage is focused on developing specific requirements for new operational environments, especially urban areas and over people. As this type of operation is more likely to produce annoyances to the general public, ANAC UAS regulatory roadmap foresees the discussion of the introduction of specific noise requirements at that stage, which is expected to be carried out in 2023-2024.