Cockpit noise levels

[Chief Whip]

My company operate mix of Airbus aircraft some fitted with noise canceling headsets and others that are not. The difference in noise levels is considerable and a day out on the A319 without ANR is an ordeal.

What are the allowable noise levels in the cockpit? I know aviation is exempt most health & safety directives but European Directive (2003/10/EC) quotes a maximum noise level of 87db.

I downloaded an application (decibel) for the iphone that measures noise levels and today got readings of 79db in the cruise and 97db during the climb. If anyone else downloads the app I would be interested to see what readings you get.

[b377]

Would be interesting what readings you get in the passenger cabin under same regimes.

Interesting comparative figures here vs. EU directive 87dB.
Sound levels (dB) and relative loudness of typical noise sources in indoor and outdoor environments.



Got a link for the iphone application?

[dusk2dawn]

Cockpit Noise Directive? Probably right after EASA has implemented new and improved FTL as suggested by the recent scientific evaluation of the EU’s FTL.

While we wait... from smartcockpit.com about noise in the 75/76: 2004 Flight Operations Symposium Questions see last page.

Got a link for a G1 application? [the devil made me do it]

[Chief Whip]

Thanks for the replies, I shall read with interest.

Link for the app is Decibel