Engine Testing
Engine testing is normally carried out after an engine
has been repaired/maintained. This is an airworthiness safety
requirement. Engine test runs are a normal part of operations at Dublin
Airport or indeed any airport. There are two engine test sites at the
Airport; one located at the northern boundary of the airport, which is indicated
by the yellow dot in the image below and the other in the centre of the
operational area, indicated by the red dot in the image below. Current
operating practice at Dublin Airport is to achieve a balance between the airlines’ airworthiness requirements and mitigating the noise impact
on local communities arising from engine testing at the Airport.
In that regard, strict controls govern when engine testing at Dublin
Airport can be carried out. There is
a total ban on tests between the hours of
23.00 and 06.00. There are also restrictions as to where on the airfield the
tests can be carried out with no engine testing permitted on the
northern site before 09.00 and after 20.00.
Engine Test Sites at Dublin Airport
In addition strict guidelines at Dublin Airport permit only one aircraft at a
time to test its engines.
Every engine test carried out at Dublin Airport is recorded by the
Airside Duty Manager and the Airside Management Unit with a reference number,
date, start and finishing time, aircraft operator, aircraft registration, aircraft
type, agency providing maintenance, repair and overhaul of the aircraft,
duration, location and who approved the test run.
All complaints regarding engine testing are fully
investigated. The number of complaints regarding engine ground
testing has diminished substantially following the decommissioning of the older
and noisier B737-200 aircraft used by Irish based airlines at Dublin
Airport.