How many dB is a jet plane?
As an avid gamer and lover of technology, I‘m fascinated by powerful machines like jet engines. Recently, a question popped into my head – just how loud are commercial airliners compared to other everyday noises? Buckle up loyal readers – we‘re going to take a dive into the deafening world of jet engine acoustics!
What‘s Considered Loud?
First, a brief primer on decibels (dB) for measuring sound…
| 30 dB | Soft whisper |
| 60 dB | Normal conversation |
| 90 dB | Subway train |
| 100 dB | Chainsaw |
| 120 dB | Ambulance siren |
| 140 dB | Jet engine at takeoff |
| 165 dB | 12-gauge shotgun blast |
As you can see, the threshold for pain is around 125 dB. Prolonged exposure to noises above 85 dB can cause permanent hearing damage over time. Jet turbines are definitely one piece of technology you don‘t want screaming directly into your ear canal!
How Loud are Commercial Jet Engines?
According to various aviation sources, noise levels for today‘s most common commercial jets are:
Airbus A320 Family (A319, A320, A321): 92-96 dB
Boeing 737: 97 dB
Levels are generally measured by microphones placed about 160 ft (50 meters) from the aircraft during takeoff and landing. Of course, standing closer to those roaring turbofans would expose your ears to dangerously higher decibels!
Cruising altitude noise is around 75 dB inside modern airplane cabins – equivalent to a washing machine or dishwasher humming from another room. Though engine tech has vastly improved for efficiency and less exterior noise pollution.
The Loudest Jets – Supersonic!
Now let‘s talk about the really fun stuff – fighter jets and experimental aircraft!
When you think of loud jets, the bone-rattling Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter comes to mind. At a teeth-chattering 140 dB, you definitely don‘t want to be next to those afterburners without high-tech ear protection!
But the current Guinness World Record holder for noisiest plane is America‘s supersonic SR-71 Blackbird spy jet. Reports say its unique engines spike painfully to 150 dB during full afterburner acceleration. That‘s "make your ears bleed" territory!
Yet one experimental aircraft leaves them all in the dust. Back in 1944, Lockheed‘s freakishly powerful XF-84H Thunderscreech prototype was recorded at an earth-shattering 164 dB! It still holds the record as loudest plane in history – no wonder it never entered full production!
What About Space Shuttles?
When that towering orange external tank ignites its liquid fuel rockets, the thunderous roar must be spine-tingling! The deafening blast measured 204 dB at liftoff – far beyond lethal levels.
Good thing astrounauts get to ride inside the relatively quiet crew compartment. But padside observers feel the chest-pummeling fury firsthand from 3 miles away!
Let‘s hope future Mars crews don‘t forget their hi-tech noise-cancelling earbuds! 😅
Well crewmates, our ears have certainly taken a beating on this high-octane sound barrier adventure! Maybe I‘ll stick to quieter hobbies like PC gaming from now on!
But stay tuned for my next blog where we‘ll explore…how loud could an X-Wing starfighter really be? May the Force protect your hearing!
