Definition
A 1990 U.S. federal law (the Airport Noise and Capacity Act of 1990) that established a national framework for managing aircraft noise around airports. It phased out older, louder Stage 2 jets, set the rules airport operators must follow before imposing local noise restrictions on aircraft, and gave the FAA authority over the review and approval of those restrictions.
Plain English
A federal law that controls how airports can limit noisy aircraft. It pushed older loud jets out of service and made sure that any local noise rules at an airport go through a federal review process instead of each airport making up its own rules.
Context Anchor
You may see ANCA in FAA material, airport planning discussions, or explanations of airport noise restrictions and access limits.
Why Pilots Care
It determines which aircraft may operate at noise-sensitive airports and can restrict flight schedules or aircraft types.
Intuition Check
Do not read ANCA as a cockpit noise procedure. It is a federal law that shapes airport noise and access rules.
Example Sentence 1
The airport's nighttime departure restrictions were put in place under the framework set by ANCA.
Example Sentence 2
ANCA rules limited the number of additional flights the airport could add without new environmental review.