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Validation of Aircraft Noise Models at Lower Levels of Exposure

Noise levels around airports and airbases in the United States arc computed via the FAA's Integrated Noise Model (INM) or the Air Force's NOISEMAP (NMAP) program. These models were originally developed for use in the vicinity of airports, at distances which encompass a day night average sound level in decibels (Ldn) of 65 dB or higher. There is increasing interest in aircraft noise at larger distances from the airport. including en-route noise. To evaluate the applicability of INM and NMAP at larger distances, a measurement program was conducted at a major air carrier airport with monitoring sites located in areas exposed to an Ldn of 55 dB and higher. Automated Radar Terminal System (ARTS) radar tracking data were obtained to provide actual flight parameters and positive identification of aircraft. Flight operations were grouped according to aircraft type. stage length, straight versus curved flight tracks, and arrival versus departure. Sound exposure levels (SEL) were computed at monitoring locations, using the INM, and compared with measured values. While individual overflight SEL data was characterized by a high variance, analysis performed on an energy-averaging basis indicates that INM and similar models can be applied to regions exposed to an Ldn of 55 dB with no loss of reliability.

Page, Juliet A.↗

Propagation of aircraft noise over long distances through the lower atmosphere

Propagation of sound through the lower atmosphere is influenced by numerous factors which are difficult to measure and more difficult to predict. In addition to the well known laboratory observable loss mechanisms of heat conduction, gas transport, and molecular absorption, inhomogeneities in a real atmosphere have significant influence on a propagating sound wave. This study presents a qualitative discussion of different categories of atmospheric inhomogeneity and their individual and combined effects on sound propagation. Subsequently, a field test involving the propagation of aircraft noise over distances up to 10 miles is described, and a simplified empirical model for 'excess' atmospheric attenuation due to inhomogeneities in the atmosphere is derived from the data.

Abrahamson, A. L.↗

Briefing on Sonic Boom and Aircraft Noise

This document is a presentation for a NAS-NRC committee on the SuperSonic Transport (SST) sonic boom. It consists of copies of the slides presented during the briefing. The topics covered in reference to Sonic Booms are: the result of sonic boom results on generation and propagation, the atmospheric effects, flight research and laboratory research and prediction theory developments, the structural responses, seismic responses and simulation and human factors from the recent research on the effects of sonic booms, Domestic SST, and evaluation of certain minimum boom concepts from advanced configuration studies. The topics covered in the aircraft noise section are studies on compressor noise reduction, acoustic treatment of nacelle ducts, some technical problems of airplane certification and studies relating to subjective responses.

Source record↗

Aircraft noise prediction program validation

A modular computer program (ANOPP) for predicting aircraft flyover and sideline noise was developed. A high quality flyover noise data base for aircraft that are representative of the U.S. commercial fleet was assembled. The accuracy of ANOPP with respect to the data base was determined. The data for source and propagation effects were analyzed and suggestions for improvements to the prediction methodology are given.

Shivashankara, B. N.↗

Recommendations for field measurements of aircraft noise

Specific recommendations for environmental test criteria, data acquisition procedures, and instrument performance requirements for measurement of noise levels produced by aircraft in flight are provided. Recommendations are also given for measurement of associated airplane and engine parameters and atmospheric conditions. Recommendations are based on capabilities which were available commercially in 1981; they are applicable to field tests of aircraft flying subsonically past microphones located near the surface of the ground either directly under or to the side of a flight path. Aircraft types covered by the recommendations include fixed-wing airplanes powered by turbojet or turbofan engines or by propellers. The recommended field-measurement procedures are consistent with assumed requirements for data processing and analysis.

Marsh, A. H.↗

Aircraft Noise and Performance Data for a Notional Supersonic Business Jet

The International Civil Aviation Organization recently completed a study that determined the global environmental impact of adding several hypothetical supersonic aircraft types to the existing subsonic fleet. NASA supported this study by designing a notional 55-tonne supersonic business jet. The airplane is named the Supersonic Technology Concept Aeroplane by the international community. Performance, noise, and exhaust emission predictions for this transport were used to inform development of new environmental standards for future supersonic civil aircraft. The behavior of the aircraft in an operational setting is considered. Calculation of aircraft noise and performance data for this aircraft is the focus of this paper. Noise abatement departure procedures, stage length performance, and noise-power-distance data are determined using NASA tools. Also investigated are some of the anticipated behaviors and requirements of supersonic aircraft in the commercial airspace.

Aircraft noise↗

Strategic planning for aircraft noise route impact analysis: A three dimensional approach

The strategic routing of aircraft through navigable and controlled airspace to minimize adverse noise impact over sensitive areas is critical in the proper management and planning of the U.S. based airport system. A major objective of this phase of research is to identify, inventory, characterize, and analyze the various environmental, land planning, and regulatory data bases, along with potential three dimensional software and hardware systems that can be potentially applied for an impact assessment of any existing or planned air route. There are eight data bases that have to be assembled and developed in order to develop three dimensional aircraft route impact methodology. These data bases which cover geographical information systems, sound metrics, land use, airspace operational control measures, federal regulations and advisories, census data, and environmental attributes have been examined and aggregated. A three dimensional format is necessary for planning, analyzing space and possible noise impact, and formulating potential resolutions. The need to develop this three dimensional approach is essential due to the finite capacity of airspace for managing and planning a route system, including airport facilities. It appears that these data bases can be integrated effectively into a strategic aircraft noise routing system which should be developed as soon as possible, as part of a proactive plan applied to our FAA controlled navigable airspace for the United States.

Bragdon, C. R.↗

Reduction of JT8D powered aircraft noise by engine refanning

The technical feasibility is described of substantially reducing the noise levels of existing JT8D powered aircraft by retrofitting the existing fleet with quieter refan engines and new acoustically treated nacelles. No major technical problems exist that preclude the development and installation of refanned engines on aircraft currently powered by the JT8D engine. The refan concept is technically feasible and provides calculated noise reductions of from 7 to 8 EPNdb for the B727-200 aircraft and from 10 to 12 EPNdb for the DC-9-32 aircraft at the FAR Part 36 measuring stations. These noise levels are lower than both the FAR Part 36 noise standards and the noise levels of the wide-body DC-10-10. Corresponding reductions in the 90 EPNdb footprint area are estimated to vary from about 70 percent for the DC-9 to about 80 percent for the B727.

Stitt, L. E.↗

Effects of aircraft noise on flight and ground structures

Acoustic loads measured on jet-powered STOL configurations are presented for externally blown and upper surface blown flap models ranging in size from a small laboratory model up to a full-scale aircraft model. The implications of the measured loads for potential acoustic fatigue and cabin noise are discussed. Noise transmission characteristics of light aircraft structures are presented. The relative importance of noise transmission paths, such as fuselage sidewall and primary structure, is estimated. Acceleration responses of a historic building and a residential home are presented for flyover noise from subsonic and supersonic aircraft. Possible effects on occupant comfort are assessed. The results from these three examples show that aircraft noise can induce structural responses that are large enough to require consideration in the design or operation of the aircraft.

Mixson, J. S.↗

Reduction of JT8D powered aircraft noise by engine refanning

The purpose of the Refan Program is to establish the technical feasibility of substantially reducing the noise levels of existing JT8D powered aircraft. This would be accomplished by retrofitting the existing fleet with quieter refan engines and new acoustically treated nacelles. No major technical problems exist that preclude the development and installation of refanned engines on aircraft currently powered by the JT8D engine. The refan concept is technically feasible and provides calculated noise reductions of from 7 to 8 EPNdB for the B727-200 aircraft and from 10 to 12 EPNdB for the DC-9-32 aircraft at the FAR Part 36 measuring stations. Corresponding reductions in the 90 EPNdB footprint area are estimated to vary from about 70 percent for the DC-9 to about 80 percent for the B727.

Stitt, L. E.↗

Reduction of Aircraft Noise Uncertainty for a Notional Supersonic Business Jet

NASA supported a study by the International Civil Aviation Organization on the environmental impact of adding supersonic aircraft to the existing global fleet by designing a notional 55-tonne supersonic business jet. The aircraft is referred to as the Supersonic Technology Concept Aeroplane (STCA) and has been used in a multitude of studies over the past few years. One of the many studies on this aircraft was the noise produced by the STCA during landing and take-off (LTO) operations. The LTO noise for the STCA was assessed using contemporary noise prediction tools that have been primarily developed for and utilized by subsonic aircraft, resulting in a high level of uncertainty for the STCA noise predictions. NASA has recently been conducting research and developing tools to reduce the uncertainty for airport noise predictions of supersonic aircraft. The initial focus of the uncertainty reduction was on the jet and inlet-radiated fan noise produced by supersonic engine systems since these sources are dominant during take-off and landing operations for supersonic jets. The results of these efforts are discussed and applied to the STCA model to update the airport noise predictions and associated uncertainty metrics. It is shown that by using new noise source prediction models, the overall system-level cumulative noise uncertainty of the study vehicle is reduced from a standard deviation of 7.8 EPNdB to 2.0 EPNdB.

uncertainty↗

Ground effects on aircraft noise for a wide-body commercial airplane

Ground effects on noise from a high-bypass ratio engined aircraft are investigated. A 747 is flown at altitudes from 30 to 960 m past a 20-microphone array, and ground effects are calculated from noise measurements as a function of elevation angle and slant range. Results are given in terms of EPNL units and are compared with previous results of a turbojet-powered T-38 and SAE-recommended empirical lateral attenuation prediction procedures. Theoretical predictions are made based on a method developed by Pao et al. (1978) and are compared with both 747 and T-38 results, demonstrating good agreement although a consistent underprediction of peak measured attenuation is observed. Measured ground effects are found largest at 200 Hz, and no definite shielding differences are apparent for a directivity angle of 122.5 deg. Less lateral attenuation of effective perceived noise is measured for both aircraft and is attributed to the dominance of low-frequency noise in the source spectrum.

Willshire, W. L., Jr.↗

Aircraft noise source and computer programs - User's guide

The application of computer programs for predicting the noise-time histories and noise contours for five types of aircraft is reported. The aircraft considered are: (1) turbojet, (2) turbofan, (3) turboprop, (4) V/STOL, and (5) helicopter. Three principle considerations incorporated in the design of the noise prediction program are core effectiveness, limited input, and variable output reporting.

Crowley, K. C.↗

Effects of aircraft noise on human activities

The effects of aircrft noise on human activities was investigated by developing a battery of tasks (1) representative of a range of human activities and (2) sensitive to the disruptive effects of noise. The noise used were recordings of jet aircraft and helicopter sounds at three lvels of loudness--60, 70, and 80 dB(A). Experiment 1 investigated 12 different cognitive tasks, along with two intelligibility tasks included to validate that the noises were being effective. Interference with intelligibility was essentially the same as found in the research literature, but only inconsistent effects were found on either accuracy or latency of performance on the cognitive tasks. When the tasks were grouped into four categories (Intelligibility, Matching, Verbal, and Arithmetic), reliable differences in rated annoyingness of the noises were related to the task category and to the type of noise (jet or helicopter).

Arnoult, M. D.↗

A review of methodological factors in performance assessments of time-varying aircraft noise effects

Literature on the effects of general noise on human performance is reviewed in an attempt to identify (1) those characteristics of noise that have been found to affect human performance; (2) those characteristics of performance most likely to be affected by the presence of noise, and (3) those characteristics of the performance situation typically associated with noise effects. Based on the characteristics identified, a theoretical framework is proposed that will permit predictions of possible effects of time-varying aircraft-type noise on complex human performance. An annotated bibliography of 50 articles is included.

Coates, G. D.↗

Effects of interior aircraft noise on speech intelligibility and annoyance

Recordings of the aircraft ambiance from ten different types of aircraft were used in conjunction with four distinct speech interference tests as stimuli to determine the effects of interior aircraft background levels and speech intelligibility on perceived annoyance in 36 subjects. Both speech intelligibility and background level significantly affected judged annoyance. However, the interaction between the two variables showed that above an 85 db background level the speech intelligibility results had a minimal effect on annoyance ratings. Below this level, people rated the background as less annoying if there was adequate speech intelligibility.

Pearsons, K. S.↗

Annoyance caused by light aircraft noise

The correlation between objective and noise stresses and subjectively perceived disturbance from general aviation aircraft was studied at 6 Swiss airports. Noise levels calculated for these airports are given. Survey results are analyzed.

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