Better seen, not heard

Reducing noise profiles is a multi-targeted task for engine OEMs, airframers, airport authorities, and regulatory agencies.

It would be wrong to assume that the only important environmental issue today is global warming due to CO₂ emissions. Aircraft noise is still a target of concern for communities, airport authorities, regulatory agencies, airlines, and manufacturers, and there have been a number of recent developments that bode well for a quieter world.

“Our goal is to have the aircraft blend in with neighborhoods so they don't mind them being there,” said Dennis Huff, Chief, Acoustics Branch, NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC), which is the agency's R&D center for the study of engine noise. “There is a large difference between the loudest airplanes flying today and the quietest planes flying today.”