Definition
A computer modeling program developed by the FAA used to predict and map aircraft noise exposure around airports. It calculates noise levels based on aircraft type, flight paths, operations counts, and time of day, producing contour maps that show where noise of a given intensity reaches on the ground.
Plain English
A computer tool the FAA uses to estimate how much aircraft noise reaches the ground around an airport, and to show on a map where the louder and quieter areas are.
Context Anchor
Seen in airport planning, environmental studies, and noise-abatement discussions, not usually in normal cockpit procedures.
Derivation
Integrated here means it pulls together many inputs — aircraft types, flight tracks, number of operations, time of day — into one combined calculation. Model means a computer simulation that estimates real-world results.
Why Pilots Care
Noise contours produced by the INM drive the noise abatement procedures, preferred runways, and departure profiles pilots are asked to follow at many airports. Understanding where the model says noise lands helps explain why certain procedures exist.
Intuition Check
Integrated does not mean combined with other software. Here it means the model integrates many factors — aircraft, routes, schedules — into one noise estimate.
Example Sentence 1
The airport authority used the INM to produce updated noise contour maps before proposing the new departure procedure.
Example Sentence 2
Airport planners ran the INM before approving a new runway to check noise effects on nearby homes.