Experimental Airliner To End Noise Problems

A revolutionary airliner that aims to end the problem of noise at airports has been unveiled by engineers. The airliner nicknamed 'The Flying Wing' breaks tradition with the standard design of airliner that can be seen anywhere in the world.

The experimental design codenamed SAX-40 is claimed to be around 25% more fuel efficient than current airliners and has a passenger capacity of 215 and a maximum speed of around 600mph. The aircraft is touted as being ready for 2030 however with financial and political issues this may not be an accurate date.

The reason for the radical change in design is due to several factors all relating to the problems of noise associated with modern airliner design. Apart from the engines modern airliners have many moving part such as the undercarriage and flaps that create a huge ammount of noice especially on approach to a runway when landing. The SAX-40 does away with the moving parts as much as possible thus making approach to the runway significantly quieter.

Experiments using a scale model in a wind tunnel have indicated that the aircraft will produce around 63 decibels of sound when sitting on the runway. To put this in comparative terms 63 decibels is about the noise you would expect on a busy street in the middle of the day.

Other ideas to prevent unecessary sound include the application of space-age materials that have high sound absorbing properties. The design also calls for the engines to be located above the wings unlike modern airliners where they are 'slung' under the wing. The advantage of having the engines above the wing is the deflection of sound onto the wings which then moves upward instead of straight down to the ground like current airliners.

There are sure to be many technical obstacles to overcome in the production of this aircraft however the SAX-40 is a very interesting look into the potential future of air travel.

For more information please visit The Guardian

Published by: Jon Vickery