Aircraft Noise Cut Dramatically Via Technological Advances

75% cut in aircraft noise achieved in past 30 years with a further 50% cut planned by 2020.

The Society of British Aerospace Companies (SBAC) has launched a series of briefing papers looking at the technology behind reducing the impact of aviation on the environment, beginning with the examination of reducing noise from aircraft.


Utilising the expertise of its member companies the SBAC has looked at how the noise signature from aircraft has been reduced by around 20 decibels over the last 30 years - a reduction in noise annoyance of 75%. For example, the new Airbus A380 has nearly half the noise footprint of the next largest commercial aircraft while carrying more passengers. Take-off noise for the A380 is lower than that experienced inside a London Underground train and about the same as heavy road traffic noise.

The industry is now focused on the targets set by the Advisory Council for Aeronautical Research in Europe (ACARE) of a further 50% reduction from 2000 levels by 2020.

The complex relationships between the engine, the airframe and the aircraft systems, as well as different flight conditions, affect aircraft noise and this means that collaborative effort within the industry is a very effective way to develop and validate noise reduction technologies. Work involving academic institutions, engine, aircraft systems and airframe manufacturers has already produced promising results.

The briefing paper on aircraft noise is the first in a series of documents from the SBAC designed to highlight the large amount of research and development work being carried out by the industry to tackle the environmental issues related to aviation. Future papers will examine several issues ranging from engine technology and emissions to alternative fuels and composite materials in aircraft manufacturing.

Ian Godden, SBAC Chief Executive, said
"Exceptional progress has already been made in the field of aircraft noise reduction. A cut of three quarters over the last thirty years is a tremendous performance. But we are not resting on our laurels - we're aiming for another fifty per cent reduction by 2020.

"The aviation industry is determined to do all it can to improve the sustainability of air transport. The SBAC is using its role as the industry's trade association to bring together British engineering excellence from our members and academia in order to do so.

"Aviation is a manufacturing success story for the UK, employing over 276,000 people across the country in high value-added jobs with a turnover in excess of GBP20 billion. It invests over GBP2.5 billion in research and development every year.

"Our series of briefing papers tackling the major issues in the sector will highlight our commitment to securing an economically and environmentally sustainable future for aviation - as wel as the importance of research and technology, protecting jobs, the wider UK economy and the environment all at the same time."

Source : SBAC