A Mobile App for Assessing the Acoustic Perception of Aircraft Propulsion Systems

Abstract

Noise is a major factor in the acceptance of aircraft. Novel propulsion systems (e.g. distributed, electric) can be designed with acoustics in mind (e.g. in terms of propulsor position on or over the wing) [2]. This re quires knowledge of the relationship between techni cal parameters and the annoyingness and unpleasant ness of the resulting sound, which is usually inferred from psychoacoustic laboratory studies. In this paper we present an alternative approach: an openly dis tributed mobile app (patent pending) allows a large and diverse audience to: 1. Set the engine parameters 2.Hear the corresponding auralised sound 3. Rate the sound using a standardised questionnaire.