AVIATION LAW—D.C. CIRCUIT ALLOWS STAGE 2 NOISE RESTRICTION YET DEFERS TO FAA'S INTERPRETATION OF ANCA: CITY OF NAPLES AIRPORT AUTHORITY V. FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION

摘要

The city of naples is a quiet retirement community in southern Florida. But the daily games of croquet and bridge are frequently interrupted by the loud engine roar of airplanes landing at the local Naples airport. In order to create a uniform process for airport proprietors to restrict such noise, Congress passed the Airport Noise and Capacity Act ("ANCA" or "the Act"). The Act was the product of significant compromise. To appease airport proprietors and local residents of airport cities, Congress provided a permanent phase-out of Stage 2 aircraft weighing more than 75,000 pounds by the end of 1999. To appease airlines, trade groups, unions, and plane and engine builders, Congress placed significant procedural requirements on Stage 2 restrictions and significant procedural and substantive requirements on Stage 3 restrictions.