DC8-54F CONDUCTING FAA APPROVED NOISE TESTING AT LOW ALT. THOUGH PRIOR APPROVAL WAS OBTAINED; COMPLAINTS FROM NEIGHBORS RESULTED IN THE POLICE AND FSDO INVESTIGATING.

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AS PIC I WAS FLYING A DC8-54F IN ACCORDANCE WITH AN FAA APPROVED TEST PLAN BY THE ATLANTA ACO FOR STAGE 3 HUSHKIT NOISE TESTING AT MEMORIAL FIELD; PHOENIX; AZ (PVT). THE FLT TEST INVOLVED RANDOM VFR PATTERNS IN VARIOUS FLAP AND GEAR CONFIGNS OVER SOUND RECORDING MIKES AT VARIOUS ALTS FROM 400-1200 FT AGL. A NOTAM WAS FILED WITH PRESCOTT FSS TO NOTIFY ALL TFC OF OUR INTENTIONS. AFTER ABOUT 1 HR OF NOISE TESTING; NOISE COMPLAINTS WERE LODGED BY LCL RESIDENTS WITH POLICE AND FAA FSS. FAA FSDO REPRESENTATIVE FROM PHOENIX FAA OFFICE THEN CAME TO THE TEST SITE AND STATED THE TESTING WAS IN VIOLATION OF FAR 91.515. WE HAVE PREVIOUSLY TESTED AT SEVERAL OTHER SITES IN THE UNITED STATES WITHOUT INCIDENT. UPON APPLICATION; A WAIVER TO 91.515 WAS GRANTED BY THE PHOENIX FSDO TO FLY THE SAME NOISE PATTERN AT A DIFFERENT TEST SITE; WHICH WERE COMPLETED. AT THIS TIME IT IS UNCLR IF THE FAA INTENDS TO IMPLEMENT FAR 91.515 VIOLATION PROCEEDINGS OR NOT. OBVIOUSLY; THERE WAS NOT INTENTIONAL VIOLATION AS THE TEST PLAN HAD BEEN APPROVED BY THE FAA AND NOTAMS WERE ISSUED THROUGH THE FAA/FSS.