B737-700
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 234; Flight Crew Type 8000
Other Unwanted Situation
General None Reported / Taken
Airport; Environment - Non Weather Related; Procedure
BNA was using Runway 31 at night due to their noise abatement policy. Had to bypass three operational; well lit runways (Runway 02 R/C/L) to land on an elevated runway; which does not have centerline lights; PAPIs; or approach lights; only REILs. Very dark; black hole approach; which is not used for landing during the day. All Runway 02 approach lights were on and operational; but Tower forced us to use this backup runway. Was even told by Center to fly landing north transition for BNA. Wasn't told about the Runway 31 Visual until talking to Approach. Called Tower Supervisor and was told ATC does not like the noise abatement policy; but are being told to use it after a certain hour due to one house complaining on final for the 02s. One house stops approaches to three runways? [I am] worried someone will attempt this visual without [glide path guidance] and land short.Stop this noise abatement policy and use whichever runway the winds favor and has the appropriate lighting for night approaches.
A B737-700 captain expressed concern that a noise abatement policy at BNA requires aircraft to land on Runway 31 at night.  The runway has no centerline; approach or touchdown zone lights and no visual glide path guidance and the reporter characterizes its use for visual approaches at night as a 'black hole' approach.