The Airbus A380 is a great aircraft – one
that pushes aviation technical achievements to another level. Unfortunately, for the
type, four engines have fallen out of favor, as has the hub and spoke
operating model to some extent. However, there’s another problem too. It’s just
too quiet… Not on the ground but for pilots. Let’s explore this… “problem” in today’s video… The A380 is regarded as having the
quietest cabin environment amongst modern widebody commercial aircraft. The
website tinitustalk.com pulled research figures together for several widebody aircraft
– with the A380 coming in lowest at 69.5 dB. The Boeing 787, for comparison, was quoted
as 72.7 dB and the Airbus A350 at 74.9. Internal noise is not something that
is extensively measured or studied. External sound and the impact of noise
pollution are usually more relevant. As any passenger knows, though, cabin noise is an
important factor in flight - one that comes from a combination of engine noise and airflow. How much
is transmitted into the cabin depends on both how much external noise is created, and the ability
of the cabin to insulate. The distances and size involved with the A380 help reduce this, as
does Airbus’ cabin engineering and insulation. Passengers may appreciate less noise.
Pilots, however, have complained. It was widely reported in 2008
that Emirates pilots found it difficult to sleep during crew
rest periods onboard the aircraft. They claimed that the aircraft was so
quiet that they could hear passengers (and crying children in particular) and
flushing toilets throughout the flight. As reported by FlightGlobal,
Emirates senior vice-president, fleet Captain Ed Davidson explained: “On our other aircraft, the
engines drown out the cabin noise. [On the A380] the pilots sleep with earplugs,
but the cabin noise goes straight through them." With such a large A380 fleet, the problem has,
of course, been more serious for Emirates. The airline also installs its cockpit crew rest
area in a different location from other airlines. Airbus typically places the crew area at the
front of the aircraft, right behind the cockpit. To maximize space for first class seating,
however, Emirates opted to move the crew area to the rear of the aircraft. This places
it closer to the noise from the economy cabin. It also, as Captain Ed Davidson also reported, adds to the distractions with passengers
mistaking the door for a toilet. In 2008, Emirates asked Airbus for
a solution to the noise problem. One solution would be to insulate the crew area
further. Airbus, however, was not keen to do this. According to reporting by Wired,
doing so would increase the overall aircraft weight. The most practical solution
is the installation of low-level whitenoise generators – but it’s not clear, however,
if Airbus and Emirates have done this. Have you flown on the A380? How do you
think the cabin noise compares to that on other aircraft? Let us know
your thoughts in the comments.
