Helicopter noise certification

Abstract

The object of noise certification is to reduce aircraft noise at source by incorporating internationally agreed limits into national civil airworthiness requirements. The operation of aircraft which fail to comply with these limits during type tests is prohibited, providing manufacturers with a powerful incentive to design quieter machines. In the case of helicopters, noise characteristics are ‘designed in’ at an early stage, making accurate noise predictions an essential prerequisite to the introduction of new civil helicopters. Noise certification will not only result in progressive reductions of helicopter noise, but will also change the character of the noise as the more intrusive sources are avoided, either by design or by the use of noise abatement techniques.