Less Noise

Since the creation of aircraft, our poor little old environment is undergoing extreme noise pollution. Well as this topic is more about aircraft noise pollution, so I’ll stick to that. In the earlier models, aircrafts were fitted with turbo jet engines, still in use today, generates ear hurting noise, which is really bad for the health and also bad for the environment.

For this, NASA is experimenting on new technologies and aircraft designs that could help reducing extreme noises. From take-off to landing, every noise source in aircraft is being studied to reduce noise so called ”racket”. Without innovations such as lower fan speeds, improved acoustic treatment surrounding engines, and chevrons to improve exhaust jet mixing, noise annoyances will only get worse as air traffic doubles in the next decade or so.

NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate in Washington is looking into new aircrafts having low engine noise, better design, less fuel consumption and have the tendency to travel far and land on shorter runways. The first “next” generation—10 years from now—is referred to as “N+1.” The second generation is “N+2.” The third and farthest out generation is “N+3.” Each design generation offers quieting features more sophisticated than those of the generation before.

NASA/industry research team tests showed that the asymmetrical engine nozzle chevron design on these GE engines helped reduce noise inside and outside the aircraft. Image credit: The Boeing Company/Bob Ferguson

In N+1 generation, the aircraft will have a normal fuselage with tails and wings but will have better landing gears. The flaps and slats will not have sharp edges as they produce noise; its jet engines might push slower, cooler air around the hot engine exhaust; and its big fan blades might turn at slower speeds. While the N+2 generation aircraft will have blended wings.

Today the most noise efficient aircrafts that are flying went under experiment by NASA. These aircraft include Boeing 777 and the upcoming Boeing 787 Dream Liner; both aircrafts are powered by new turbo fan engines which generate less noise and more power.

A typical noise footprint found today around a busy airport. Image credit: Frassanito & Associates

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