Noise Levels in the USAARL NUH-60 (Black Hawk) Aeromed Flight Simulator

Abstract

Noise levels in the NUH-60 (Black Hawk) Aeromed Flight Simulator located at the U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory were measured. Noise levels were adjusted using a nine-position control set by the simulator operator. The simulator operator's manual stated that noise levels should not exceed 85 dBA. Measurements were made at five noise level settings at the pilot and copilot stations. Results showed that the A-weighted sound level of the flight simulator at Noise Level Setting 1 was 81.8 dBA while levels at Settings 3, 5, %, and 9 exceeded the 85 dBA noise exposure limit. In addition, the octave-band frequency spectrum of the simulator noise at Setting 9 differed appreciably from the spectrum of an actual UH-6OA aircraft. These differences were particularly large (exceeding 20 dB) in the upper frequencies in the speech range and should be considered before similar research involving communication or speech intelligibility is conducted. It is noted that noise hazard signs are posted appropriately at the entrance to the USAARL NUH-60 flight simulator in accordance with MIL-STD-1474D "Noise Limits". Hearing protective devices should be used in the simulator when operated at noise levels above the lowest noise level setting.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 2000
Accession Number
ADA383436

Entities

People

  • Elmaree Gordon
  • William A. Ahroon

Organizations

  • United States Army Aeromedical Research Lab

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircraft Doors
  • Aircrafts
  • Department Of Defense
  • Flight
  • Flight Simulations
  • Flight Simulators
  • Frequency
  • Hearing Protection
  • Human Factors Engineering
  • Measurement
  • Recording Systems
  • Simulations
  • Simulators
  • Sound Pressure
  • Spectra
  • Speech
  • Training

Readers

  • Acoustics.
  • Aviation Science / Aeronautics.