Valsan/Rohr/Goodrich 727 conversion question
I'm looking for a definitive answer to a question that I have had for more than 10 years now. I've been flying a Super 727 (STC SA4363NM) for more than ten years now (actually three different airplanes), and a common question keeps rearing its ugly head regarding Stage III compliance.
The Rohr AFM supplement lists noise levels for landing 30 (flaps 40 was blocked off with the STC) and for a 5 flap takeoff (only!). Now, does this mean that the Super 727 is Stage III compliant ONLY in the flap 5 takeoff configuration?
At first, I was told by a Rohr engineer that they only tested the noise levels using flaps 5 because that was the most restrictive (read; noisiest) takeoff configuration, and flaps 15 and flaps 25 were well below (flyover?) Stage III limits, but he didn't have any documentation to prove this. Recently, however, I was informed by an airport noise officer that the only approved takeoff configuration that meets the Stage III compliance is for flaps 5. IOW, flaps 15 and flaps 25 did NOT meet Stage III requirements.
I don't even know who to contact anymore to find out which is accurate. I thought that perhaps one of the professionals in here might have some actual documentation saying which is accurate.
Until I find out, I'm going to do flaps 5 takeoffs, but even though the performance numbers (from ASAP, Inc.) show a flap five takeoff is doable, I'm not as comfortable with the remaining runway at V1/Vr as I am when doing flaps 15 departures. Second segment climb is not compromised by using flaps 15 with the -217C engines.
Thanks!