Low Frequency Noise in Commercial Aviation: Consequences for Crew – A Preliminary Study

A low frequency noise (LFN) that is uncomfortably loud to one person may be inaudible to other ; therefore it is very difficult to decide what is a l ; ; responsibler ; ; level of LFN in commercial aviation. To record the psychophysiological effects of flying in commercial air transport operations, 34 pilots from an airline were monitored during a calendar year. All flights took place in European airspace and data were collected throughout the year. The examinees were experienced: average age 34, 7 yr, average airline experience 7, 6 yr and averaged 58, 6 hr of flying per month in A 320. In our research we documented following clinical findings: abnormal brain potentials in one case, altered hematology parameters – fibrinogen in two cases, gastrointestinal dysfunction in three cases, behavioral disorders – depression / aggressiveness in two cases and hearing deficit at 250 Hz & 500 Hz in one case. The results from this study will be used to make recommendations regarding impact of LFN on air crew in commercial aviation. Further research in this field will continue.