Comparative Interior Noise Measurement in a Large Transport Aircraft - Turboprop vs. Turbofans

Aircraft cabin noise is an important factor that affects not only the passengers but also the pilots and aircraft crew. When comparing aviation to the other modes of transport, the shorter journey duration is of greater importance to the passengers than the noise pollution, but the noise still disturbs them a lot and can cause different health problems. Noise impact on pilots and cabin crew can be significant because it can reduce flight safety. Noise produced by large aircraft is much greater and more intensive than the one produced by the small ones. It has a broader frequency spectrum and it usually lasts longer. The paper will try to compare the noise inside the cockpit in two large commercial aircraft, one being turboprop and the other turbofan. Furthermore, the comparison of cockpit noise during the various phases of flight, some simple statistical and octave band measurements will be conducted and a few possible methods of noise reduction will be discussed.