Estimation of the effective perceived noise level during approach of the AMX A-1 military aircraft

Abstract

Aircraft noise is an important cause of annoyance mainly in regions close to airports or military airbases. Civil aircraft data of sound emission, such as Effictive Perceived Noise Level (EPNL), are commonly available to the public however for military aircrafts such data is not easily accessible. Noise emission is commonly quantified in terms of Effective Perceived Noise Level during approach, low altitude overflight and simulated take-off. This study presents the results of the estimation of the EPNL for the AMX-A1 aircraft during approach at Santa Marias Airbase, in south Brazil. Since there is an University and its Hospital on the surroundings of the airbase, the approach is the most annoying situation. The measurements were made at the vicinities of the airbase based on the equivalent procedures established by ICAO where calibrated wav signals were recorded and processed leading to results of EPNL of the order of 140 EPNdB. The calculated levels were found to be coherent for military aircrafts and shall be validated with further investigation.