Embry-Riddle Reduces Airplane Noise with New Mufflers

Response to neighbors' complaints makes Embry-Riddle first large flight organization in nation to install noise reducing system in its fleet of Cessna 172 training aircraft. 

Daytona Beach, Fla. (PRWEB) September 11, 2012

After an investment of $250,000 and five years of research, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has found a way to address local residents’ concerns about noise from its training aircraft. The university has installed new noise reduction exhaust systems and is continuing to conduct research on new quieter propellers in its Daytona Beach campus fleet of Cessna 172 training aircraft.

“We’ve listened to our community and spent many hours trying to come up with solutions – serving on local noise committees, developing alternate procedures, producing noise abatement handouts and training videos – whatever it took to try to resolve this,” said Ken Byrnes, chairman of flight operations at Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach campus. “But it always came back to a mechanical solution.”

After testing and analyzing a variety of airplane exhaust systems and experimental propellers for the past two years, Byrnes said his department got the best results with an exhaust system from Gomolzig Company in Germany and a resized propeller. The study and installation effort has involved more than a dozen faculty, staff and students at the campus.

“We are the first large flight training organization in the nation to install a noise-reducing system in our fleet of Cessna 172 training aircraft,” Byrnes said. The campus uses 41 of the planes to train students.

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