A question for Jetstar drivers into Avalon
Evertonian
Thread Starter
A question for Jetstar drivers into Avalon
I'm trying to find out if there is a name or term used by Jetstar crew (or anyone else for that matter) when they are at a particular point in their approach to Avalon.
The location would be roughly parallel to the northen tip of Tulla as it passes below on your right. It seems that there is a reduction in engine power & that is accompanied by a unique sound as this happens.
I'm also curious as to your rough altitude at this point too.
Cheers
The location would be roughly parallel to the northen tip of Tulla as it passes below on your right. It seems that there is a reduction in engine power & that is accompanied by a unique sound as this happens.
I'm also curious as to your rough altitude at this point too.
Cheers
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Yes.
Its called Melbourne airport. You get descent to 6000ft until you are clear of the traffic pattern. Then you get descent to 3000ft for the ILS. The reduction in engine power is probably just that, guys use the level off to slow down instead. There shouldn`t be much of a noise reduction as you should be at or close to flight idle during the descent. As for the other unique sounds, that is a company secret and I can `t discuss it here. But lets just say, REG lives near by.
Its called Melbourne airport. You get descent to 6000ft until you are clear of the traffic pattern. Then you get descent to 3000ft for the ILS. The reduction in engine power is probably just that, guys use the level off to slow down instead. There shouldn`t be much of a noise reduction as you should be at or close to flight idle during the descent. As for the other unique sounds, that is a company secret and I can `t discuss it here. But lets just say, REG lives near by.
Evertonian
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Thanks metro. I'm doing a risk assessment for my CFA Brigade & wasn't sure what height you passed over us at. The noise bit was out of curiosity.
Thanks Baz. It's definitely an engine type noise I hear, sort of like when machinery powers down however, as my qualifications fall a little short on the "engine-y type noise" identification, I'll accept any hypothesis!
Thanks Baz. It's definitely an engine type noise I hear, sort of like when machinery powers down however, as my qualifications fall a little short on the "engine-y type noise" identification, I'll accept any hypothesis!
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I live NE of YMML under the approach for RWY16 where jets inbound to Melbourne are at 5000-8000ft. The A320s often, not always, have this distinctive noise which comes from the speed brakes/spoilers, I think.
Seems to be more prevalent with Tiger.
Seems to be more prevalent with Tiger.
Last edited by uncle8; 25th Mar 2010 at 00:30.
Evertonian
Thread Starter
Well, that is interesting uncle8. You & Baz have the same thoughts on that sound. I would never have imagined it to be spoilers/speed brakes but, you're never too old to learn.
Cheers.
Cheers.
I'm in Sydenham and hear the JetStar DeathStars go over all the time, sounds areodynamic, after many years around the Mighty Dozer of the Sky, the BAe146, it does bring back disturbing memories.
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Man.... I was going to post about that sound about 2 years ago when we moved to Melbourne Eastern suburns. Thought that if I posted that I would be sent to the looney bin.
We live under the WAREN STAR and we get this sound numerous times a day and only from the A320... be it Jetstar, Tiger or Air New Zealand.
Even my 3 year old son runs outside when he hears this sound and tells me to run outside quickly as "Jepstar" are flying over.
I have been paying attention over the last few weeks and it seems to only be when they are on a high speed descent - this made me think that it must be aerodynamic. I'm pretty certain that it's not an engine spooling down during a high speed descent to slow the aircraft down to 250KIAS.
I'll try and have my mobile ready to record it the next time it happens - just difficult to catch as the sound comes and goes quite quickly.
We live under the WAREN STAR and we get this sound numerous times a day and only from the A320... be it Jetstar, Tiger or Air New Zealand.
Even my 3 year old son runs outside when he hears this sound and tells me to run outside quickly as "Jepstar" are flying over.
I have been paying attention over the last few weeks and it seems to only be when they are on a high speed descent - this made me think that it must be aerodynamic. I'm pretty certain that it's not an engine spooling down during a high speed descent to slow the aircraft down to 250KIAS.
I'll try and have my mobile ready to record it the next time it happens - just difficult to catch as the sound comes and goes quite quickly.
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If it is the same sound I am thinking of, it will make you look-up because it sounds like it is coming towards you. Sort of like air rushing in a window only just cracked open, but it starts off with a low grumble and quickly rises in tone then disappears. Bit like a suction type sound 
hmmm, struggling to describe it better than that.
Wing geometry, flaps, spoilers ,device movement to/from the stowed pos?
Only ever hear it from the A320's
I fondly remember years ago, watching [from under shortish final] 727's and 9's landing. If the conditions were right, the aircraft would scream over head, only to be followed some 10 - 15 seconds later by a ripping air whoosh sound of the wing tip votices running outa puff. The 727 was the most pronounced. I always think of those sights and sounds whenever thinking about wake turbulence.
hmmm, struggling to describe it better than that.Wing geometry, flaps, spoilers ,device movement to/from the stowed pos?
Only ever hear it from the A320's
I fondly remember years ago, watching [from under shortish final] 727's and 9's landing. If the conditions were right, the aircraft would scream over head, only to be followed some 10 - 15 seconds later by a ripping air whoosh sound of the wing tip votices running outa puff. The 727 was the most pronounced. I always think of those sights and sounds whenever thinking about wake turbulence.
Nunc est bibendum
It appears that we're all describing a similar sound although I've heard it from other aircraft types- including most Boeing types. Last time I heard it the a/c was over flying at 6000' on a cross wind from the pacific to land on 34L at Sydney.
(How do I know it was 6000? Because that's the altitude I've always been at as I crossed over my place when flying that particular approach).
(How do I know it was 6000? Because that's the altitude I've always been at as I crossed over my place when flying that particular approach).
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Though I have not heard the noise, but from ARFOR's description, could it possibly be the sound of the air just making it in between the gaps between the flaps and the spoilers? Or possibly between the leading edge flaps and the leading edge of the wing? - just like opening a window
Last edited by PyroTek; 25th Mar 2010 at 13:35.
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Owen, indeed 
Buster too right mate. Those early LB JT8D Pratt's were the real deal
I miss seeing and hearing those beautiful machines [727]
Best looking Boeing ever made IMHOIf the truth be known, this is my desktop wallpaper B727 N800AK DALLAH AL BARAKA on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
A RR Tay powered Super27 beauuuuuuuuutiful
Pyro I reckon it must be to do with a certain configuration of wing devices. Last few A320's I have heard make that sound have been at around 10-15NM to run to touchdown
Last edited by ARFOR; 25th Mar 2010 at 13:05. Reason: add link
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Now getting even more .. scientific... Could possibly be a mix of the wing flaps extended and spoilers extending. - the gap between them increases, creating a vacuum of sorts, thus airflow in between the trailing edge flaps and the spoilers is momentarily increased - to equalise pressure? Or am I going too in depth? - could only happen on the A320 (and similar types) because of how the flaps/spoilers are configured?
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PyroTek...you're lucky this isn't JetBlast! They'd run you outta town for a technical answer like that!
In all seriousness, it's fascinating to read the theories here. I really thought I had it sussed & would never have considered it an airflow sound.
I'm really going to have to record the noise now...better check those schedules!
In all seriousness, it's fascinating to read the theories here. I really thought I had it sussed & would never have considered it an airflow sound.
I'm really going to have to record the noise now...better check those schedules!