Why are planes so loud from the outside?

The influence of atmospheric conditions Temperature, wind speed and direction, humidity, rain and cloud-cover all have a part to play in the way we hear aircraft noise. The reverberation of sound waves caused by the weather can make noises seem louder.



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A study of noise on Airbus A321 aircraft reported levels of 60-65 decibels (dBA) before takeoff; 80-85 dBA during flight; and 75-80 dBA during landing. The outside of aircraft engines (around 140 dB at takeoff) and conditions on other aircraft may have higher or lower noise levels.

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Inversions, which occur when the air temperature increases as altitude increases, have the same effect on noise as does cloud cover. These types of weather conditions slow the atmospheric absorption of the noise waves and may cause jet aircraft noise to sound louder.

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Departures tend to be louder than arrivals since the pilot is using more power to the engine to achieve lift.

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Airplane noise can be very annoying, especially if you live or work near an airport, and you should know that experiencing that noise constantly can be bad for your health. Some of the negative side effects include high blood pressure, increased risk of stroke and increased risk of heart attack.

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Takeoff: Two quick, loud thumps from under the plane, and a repeated whooshing noise that sounds like a spinning propeller. The whooshing noise is air from the engines (the air used for the cooling and heating system) changing as the RPM of the engine increases.

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Why do some airplanes sound so much louder than others when they pass overhead? Engine type, altitude, and humidity are the three biggest reasons. (A jet with afterburners is louder than anything else). Jet engines especially are much quieter now than they used to be.

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Jet airliners, on the inside, are loudest in the last few rows at the rear. Outside, right at the engine exhausts, but you're in serious danger from the engine if you're anywhere near that. Most of the noise goes backwards away from the plane.

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For most commercial airplanes, the seats closest to the front of the plane are the quietest. And although it's not always possible to get a front row seat, anything in front of the wing is preferable to seating behind the wing. The loudest row is just behind the wing where the engines are located.

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Yes, travelers have the right to quiet, but it's an implied right, and one enforced by the good manners of your fellow passengers and guests.

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Temperature, wind speed and direction, humidity, rain and cloud-cover all have a part to play in the way we hear aircraft noise. The reverberation of sound waves caused by the weather can make noises seem louder.

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3 dings means something or nothing at all. It depends on the airline's procedure. At one airline, it means there is such an urgent emergency that the captain has no time to discuss it with the flight attendants. At another airline it means the flight attendants are now safe to get up and walk around the plane.

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All airplanes will be exposed to drag during flight. They must overcome this aerodynamic force to achieve and maintain lift. Otherwise, airplanes would essentially fall out of the sky. Air brakes are control surfaces that increase drag so that airplanes slow down during flight.

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Living near an airport can have negative effects on health and quality of life due to noise pollution and air pollution from aircrafts. The noise from airplanes can disrupt sleep, increase stress levels and lead to hearing loss.

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An altitude of 500 feet above the surface, except over open water or sparsely populated areas. In those cases, the aircraft may not be operated closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure.

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Over the past 50 years, aircraft have reduced their noise output by 75% and this progress continues. Today's aircraft entering service have on average, a noise footprint that is 30-50% that of the aircraft they are replacing thanks to new engine and airframe design and technology.

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How to Stop Airplane Noise in Your Home
  1. Invest in a good pair of sound cancelling headphones.
  2. Request different flight paths and file complaints with your local airport.
  3. If all else fails, and you feel airplane noise is taking a toll on your health, consider moving.


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