A380 superjumbo too quiet, say pilots

[oz_mark]

The Airbus A380 superjumbo is so quiet it's stopping pilots from sleeping during rest breaks on long-haul flights, according to reports.

Flight International says Emirates pilots have complained that the lack of engine noise is preventing them from sleeping in the crew rest area.

The constant buzz of engine noise usually drowns out the sounds of passengers, but pilots says they are being kept awake by crying babies, flushing toilets and call bells.

A380 superjumbo too quiet, say pilots

 

[Evan]

With the weight of showers i think they can afford some insulation....
Or maybe they made and error in the location of crew rest, could it be SQ and QF have a bit more experience in such things
E

 

[ethernet]

Easy Fix!
A white noise generator and a couple of speakers, or an electronic loop of 707 taking off. Just record what they are 'used' to.
Showers! Water is heavy. But it would be worth it for the next generation of mile highers. I've seen a spoof airline commercial with hottubs, which is up there with the flyinghigh airline ads, that are now hard to find.

 

[Evan]

Is there some reason they cant use the good old ear-plugs ? you know the ones you get in loud factories etc, thats what i use in the cabin.
E

 

[straitman]

Is there some reason they cant use the good old ear-plugs ? you know the ones you get in loud factories etc, thats what i use in the cabin.
E

There you go. Bringing logic into it again :!:

 

[ric_melb]

Maybe I am missing something here.
Can the pilots of Emirates or Emirates itself be so stupid?
Asking Airbus for a solution?

What - are they going to make the engines noisier?

The suggestion of airplugs is a good one.

What a storm in a teacup.

 

[munitalP]

Easy Fix!
...But it would be worth it for the next generation of mile highers...

And what of the current generation?

Mr!

 

[Harpoon]

The article on The Age says they do wear earplugs but babies crying and other noises can still be heard through them.

But all I have to say is....

LOL

 

[Skyring]

Maybe I am missing something here.
Can the pilots of Emirates or Emirates itself be so stupid?
Asking Airbus for a solution?

What - are they going to make the engines noisier?

The suggestion of airplugs is a good one.

What a storm in a teacup.

Sounds like a media beat-up to me. Maybe a journo asked a pilot if there were any problems with the plane, and the pilot, stumped to come up with something the journo could make sense of, said the engines were too quiet, as a backhanded compliment.

 

[dot]

This is the source article that The Age used - Airbus to help Emirates pilots sleep after crews find A380 'too quiet'

I find it interesting that that article quotes the reason for putting the Crew Rest area as crew claustrophobia, yet an earlier article (before EK took delivery) quotes Tim Clarke (EK CEO) as saying they wanted to maximise the cargo capability of the A380 and therefore didn't want the crew rest area downstairs from the main deck as QF and SG have electeded to do. (see Double luxury - how the airlines are configuring their A380s)

If you look at the Emirates main deck layout - the big green block at the centre rear is the crew rest area.

Image thanks the the above article on Flight International's web site.

I don't have a solution to the pilot's problems, but I am surprised the earplugs are not blocking out enough background noise. I depend on them when trying to sleep on board and find them effective in blocking out conversation, babies etc. Perhaps they need higher rated earplugs...

 

[Evan]

I am wondering how much freight EK could carry with there high density config but it must be constrained by size not weight.
Lots more galley in SQ and QF versions.

I could see on EK if mothers with crying babies wondered down the back to get away could be an issue but still fail to see how it could affect you in a contained space with earplugs.

I guess until we try it we will never know... who knows some EK staffers ?

E

 

[straitman]

I don't have a solution to the pilot's problems, but I am surprised the earplugs are not blocking out enough background noise. I depend on them when trying to sleep on board and find them effective in blocking out conversation, babies etc. Perhaps they need higher rated earplugs...

Everyone I know of in Aviation use Class 5 (ASA) hearing protection and that's as good as it gets.

 

[Evan]

Everyone I know of in Aviation use Class 5 (ASA) hearing protection and that's as good as it gets.

Mine say HRR 30 / SNR 34
Is that just a part number or a rating, if the latter how do they compare ?
E

 

[Mal]

Mine say HRR 30 / SNR 34
Is that just a part number or a rating, if the latter how do they compare ?
E

I assume straitman is talking about Australian Standards Class 5 under one of their standards.

When I'm at work tomorrow, I can look up the particular standard (I assume AS/NZS 1269.3:2005 ) and get the details. Sounds like interesting reading.

 

[Evan]

Mine would be Australian standard, but maybe only printed on the big box not the little plastic bags i guess.
I would be amazed if my company would use something thats not standard. All i know is they seem to do a good job and are used by our factory workers in Australia although the sound is not that loud and i don't believe its a legal requirement for the levels in question to use them they are provided to all employees regardless and unless your just passing through your encouraged to use them.
E

 

[straitman]

Mine would be Australian standard, but maybe only printed on the big box not the little plastic bags i guess.
I would be amazed if my company would use something thats not standard. All i know is they seem to do a good job and are used by our factory workers in Australia although the sound is not that loud and i don't believe its a legal requirement for the levels in question to use them they are provided to all employees regardless and unless your just passing through your encouraged to use them.
E

Evan,

The Australian Standard maximum is Class 5 though Class 4 are still available as they are adequate for many situations. I'm not sure what else may be out there. One significant problem is that most headsets etc are imported and as such have not been rated against the Australian Standard.

For example the headsets we use (David Clarke) don't have an Australian rating BUT they are the best available. They have very good passive noise attenuation plus active noise attenuation. This coupled with molded ear pieces means I have the ICS near minimum whereas in the past it was about 3/4 volume. Obviously a big difference but about 20 years too late for oldies like me :!:

 

[milehighclub]

At QF I can tell you that the crew are very very happy with the low level of noise.

 

[oz_mark]

For example the headsets we use (David Clarke) don't have an Australian rating BUT they are the best available. They have very good passive noise attenuation plus active noise attenuation. This coupled with molded ear pieces means I have the ICS near minimum whereas in the past it was about 3/4 volume. Obviously a big difference but about 20 years too late for oldies like me :!:

It would be pretty uncomfortable trying to sleep with headset's on, I would have thought

 

[Evan]

At QF I can tell you that the crew are very very happy with the low level of noise.

And the passengers ! i am sure they would be thrilled to have a quieter flight. I know i like it when its not so noisy... unless its a band or club
E

 

[Moody]

And the passengers ! i am sure they would be thrilled to have a quieter flight. I know i like it when its not so noisy... unless its a band or club

I would agree totally with you but I have nearly soiled my undies upon landing in a SG 380. It is so quiet on approach that when the wheels thumped into the ground I think I went into the brace position. Stupid thing was I did the exact same thing on the return flight.

Some sort of doppler effect through the cabin PA would be my pick. You know - like those B-grade cold-war submarine movies where the Russians can hear the torpedoes getting closer and closer over the sonar and then the captain turns to the first mate and says "You know I've always loved you, Dimitri" before the scene cuts to the surface where an explosion of water appears.