The prediction of airframe noise and comparison with experiment

The success of the high bypass ratio turbofan engine in reducing the extern al noise of civil transport aircraft at take-off and landing, while improvi ng the economics of air travel, has opened up the debate as to how much fur ther it will be possible to reduce aircraft noise by the introduction of ne w aircraft or existing aircraft retrofitted with new engines. Irrespective of what new technology can offer in respect of further engine noise reducti on for no loss of performance, it is now clear that all future aircraft wil l require airframe noise to be reduced on the approach, since today it is c omparable with engine noise. This paper discusses the major components of a irframe noise and reviews the present state of airframe noise prediction. F inally, a comparison is made between prediction and experimental data and t he prospects for airframe noise reduction. (C) 2001 Academic Press.