The scope of this SAE Recommended Practice covers specialized internal combustion engine powered equipment used in support of aircraft operations. The equipment may be self-propelled, truck mounted, trailer mounted, skid mounted or stationary. It does not include construction equipment or equipment designed primarily for operation on highways or within factories or building areas.NOTE: Equivalent methodology is provided in (CEN) EN 1915-4, Aircraft ground support equipment - General requirements - Part 4: Noise measurement methods and reduction, to be used for measurements conforming to the EU Machinery Directive ARP1801A has been reaffirmed to comply with the SAE five-year review policy.

This document is a guideline for format, structure and content for ground support equipment (GSE) technical manuals. This document focuses on requirements specific to the GSE industry and does not cover general technical publication practices. Additional standards for GSE and for manufacturer's publications exist and may add requirements beyond what is covered in this standard. This may include EU Directive 2006/42/EC.This document is written in specific terms by intention, and conforms to recognized practices in the industry. When the word SHALL is used in this standard, it indicates a requirement that must be adhered to in total and does not allow for variance. When the word SHOULD is used, it indicates a recommended practice which allows the manual writer to use discretionary judgment. This document does not apply to electronic test equipment. AS4828A has been reaffirmed to comply with the SAE five-year review policy.

This SAE Standard describes a method for measuring the weighted sound pressure levels at prescribed microphone positions in the proximity of a device or machine for outdoor use, in order to determine compliance with noise limits. The A-weighted sound power level of the source is calculated from the measured values. NOTES:1. When nine or more microphone positions are prescribed in the proximity of the source (as in Section 7), the A-weighted sound power levels determined in accordance with this document tend to result in standard deviations less than approximately 2 dB, provided that the spectrum does not contain pronounced discrete frequencies; if it does, the magnitude of the uncertainties will be larger and no general rules for the magnitude of the uncertainties can be given. These standard deviations reflect the cumulative effects of all causes of measurement uncertainty, excluding variations in the sound power level from machine to machine or from test to test, which may be caused, for example, by changes in the mounting or operating conditions of the source. 2. For measurements made using a hemispherical measurement suface, the directivity index of the source may be calculated according to the description of appendix B. 3. Measurement of A-weighted sound pressure levels at the operator's postion(s) is not described in this document. 4. The results of noise measurements made according to this document are obtained under prescribed conditions and iwll not necessarily correspond to the noise experienced from the equipment when it is in operation on a construction site.

This document applies to special purpose equipment, excluding fixed facilities, which is used in the ground handling, servicing, and maintenance of aircraft. Equipment covered under other sections of the Federal Register Part 1910 is excluded from this document. This document is to establish minimum safety requirements and should not be used for vehicle design criteria. Equipment existing prior to publication date is excluded from the requirements of this document.