Aircraft engineers look for quieter aircraft

Airline Industry Information, Sept 12, 2005

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

Aircraft engineers are looking for a design that would keep the noise of aircraft below that of traffic noise.

Engineers from Cambridge University in the UK have said that a new generation of aircraft, described as "flying wings" or "virtual windows", could be entering service in the next two decades. According to Reuters, the aircraft look more like a B-2 Stealth Bomber than a jumbo jet.

The engineers are reportedly also looking for changes in the way aircraft are flown to reduce noise. These will include tests, in cooperation with air traffic controllers, that will look at a steeper landing approach with conventional aircraft, tests that could be launched as early as next year. The steeper approach would mean that the time aircraft spend at low altitudes is reduced.

((Comments on this story may be sent to aii.feedback@m2.com))