There are several reasons that small planes are noisy. These include the propeller, airflow, and landing gear. Here’s what we know. Small planes are likely to fly at five to fifteen thousand feet and likely have a single engine. As a result, their propeller is likely to be much louder than the propeller of a multi-engine aircraft. High-altitude flying also allows sounds to travel farther than noises on the ground. Ground noise is more affected by buildings, trees, and fields of grass.
Gulfstreams
You might be wondering why Gulfstreams are small planes that are incredibly loud. The answer is based on the design of the plane’s cabin. It was designed by acoustics experts and can reach speeds of Mach 0.9, resulting in an incredible amount of noise from the outside. The cabin’s design was created using specialized acoustics software that allows engineers to predict how loud the aircraft will be before it even leaves the factory. The aircraft has an estimated price tag of $65 million.
The patented technology makes it possible for these planes to travel at 92 percent of the speed of sound. In fact, this feature allows passengers to converse at a comfortable volume without having to raise their voices. A great benefit to these aircraft is that they have the ability to accommodate up to 17 passengers.
Propellers
One of the most common causes of aircraft noise is the propeller. The longer the propeller blades, the more noise they produce. Helicopters, for instance, have very long blades that create a lot of noise. This is because the tips of these blades can move at up to 60% of the speed of sound.
Propellers also make small aircraft louder during takeoff and landing. In a video published by the startup Joby Aviation, CEO Ben Bevirt showed a propeller-driven flying device taking off. The company’s sound meter indicated that the noise level was equivalent to a lively conversation. In comparison, the propeller-driven propellers in a helicopter would make the noise equivalent to 65 decibels.
Airflow
The noise that is produced by small aircraft is primarily a result of airflow over the various components, such as the wing and landing gear. This unsteady flow causes the loud noise that is heard by passengers. However, there are several ways to reduce this noise and make the aircraft quieter.
Landing gear
Landing gear is one of the main sources of noise in an aircraft. It is broadband in nature and is produced by a combination of different components. The lower frequencies are emitted by wheels and main struts, while the higher frequencies are produced by smaller details. Using a computer simulation, we can determine the acoustic properties of various landing gear components.
The noise produced by landing gear can be reduced by modifying their shape. In one study, Pott-Pollenske engineers modified a small plane’s landing gear so that it produces less noise. The researchers found that this method reduced radiated farfield noise by as much as four decibels.
Mufflers
Small airplanes are often louder than other planes because of the propellers they use. This noise is mainly generated by the engines, and it spreads outwards from the plane. A plane cannot see the noise coming from behind it, so it sounds like the airplane is making noise when it is moving.
There are several factors that contribute to noise, including the type of aircraft. Commercial planes, for example, produce more noise than smaller planes. Commercial jets have sound levels that exceed 140 decibels, and these planes are among the loudest things on the planet. The human body cannot withstand sound levels over 130 decibels, and this can cause hearing loss.
Size
Small planes are more likely to be loud than large ones because they have less space to absorb wind force and sound. Because of this, Bush suggests that everyone on board wear ear protection while flying. This is especially important for children, whose ears are more sensitive. Some planes will provide ear covers for passengers.
Cost
There’s no doubt that small planes are louder than large planes, and this is because they don’t have as much space to absorb wind force and sound. Airline officials say that the noise levels aren’t harmful to the ears, but many travelers find it a burden to carry on conversations in such a noisy environment. Thankfully, some planes provide ear covers for the passengers.
