Generally, are airplanes louder during landing or takeoff?

Answer 1

Maybe someone could correct me on this, but I'm assuming we're referring to airliners here... It would depend on where you're sitting! If you're in front of the wing/engines on takeoff, then the thrust is being propelled behind you, which leaves most of the noise behind you, and with doppler effect involved, it will be quieter than normal. However if you're in front of the wings/engine on landing, and they reverse thrust, the opposite will occur and the thrust will be aimed ahead of the plane, going by your window, and making it louder.

If you're behind the wing/engines, than it will be the opposite. Anyone can correct me if i'm wrong, thats my answer though.


Someone go get a dB meter and test this theory if you dont believe me. Why do you think first class and other higher paying customers sit in the front of the plane, obviously they aren't thinking about being the first to die in a giant lawn dart.

If you're outside the plane, it still rides on the same theory. Sound is omni-directional. All sound could be considered RF, so imagine yourself with an omni-directional antenna emitting an HF signal, at full power with no obstructions, you should recieve the RF at equal power in all directions. Now, put a small wall right next to it, you're going to have a weak spot behind that wall, you'll still pick it up, but not as strong. Now put translate this to engine noise.... on takeoff AND landing, 100% power is used, thrust is directed out an engine and mixes with the outside, creating sound that we can hear. Takeoffs are forward thrust, coming out the back of the engine, most of the sound is directed behind the plane. Now imagine being in front of the plane, you have the front half of the engine and a slight bit of a wing blocking some of the noise. It wont be as loud as if you were behind the plane.
Throw everything in reverse for landing, thrust coming out the front of the engines, and stand behind it. Sound is still slightly attenuated.
Ok i think anyone reading this has gotten the point, my fingers are tired now that i've blabbed my hands off, sound has to do with where you are and whats in your way thats attenuating it.

Go dB meter it if you dont believe me

Answer 2

That question really leaves things somewhat open. An aircraft making takeoff power is basically as loud as it gets to people off the airport, i.e. adjoining neighborhoods, etc... Landing aircraft do make quite a bit of noise and does sound loud but then again, a landing aircraft is lower to the ground than one departing making it sound loud. At one mile from the airport, a landing aircraft is usually around 600-800 feet, one departing is usually climbing through 2000 feet a mile from takeoff point. Now, after touchdown, when the jet deployes its thrust reversers, there is quite a bit of noise there also but mostly to people listening from within the airport boundries. This noise is close to the ground so it doesn't travel quite as far and is dampened by the ground.

Answer 3

Well, takeoff is pretty loud as the engines are on full throttle. But landing is much louder because the aircraft uses reverse thrust to slow down. This reverse thrust uses a method just like blowing into your cuffed hand. the air comes back at your face. So this is very loud.

Answer 4

Generally.
All aircraft use full power during take off roll.
This is to get the aircraft airbornee in the shortest time possible.
Therefore the engines are at full power during take off roll and when airborn and at climbing Best Rate of Climb, they throttle back to the aircraft procedures or Noise Abatement procedures for that particular airport.
When landing aircraft throttle back to descend. Hence less noise.
After they touch down a commercial aircraft will use reverse thrusters at full power for approximately 10-15 seconds.
This changes with each aircraft and runway conditions.
So they are "generally" louder at take off because the engines are running at full power for an extended period of time.
Landing is loud for a lot shorter period of time.

Answer 5

They make more noise when they are taking off, because they ae full throttle, redlined and making the most thrust/horsepower.
They do make weird noises on approach but are at 1/2 power or less, they jockey the throttles to maintain a specific decent rate. This also depends on the type of aircraft engine, but almost all are noisier on takeoff.

Answer 6

My boyfriend is an airline pilot....it depends....from inside the aircraft upon reversal of the engines it is louder on the inside for passengers but for people outside takeoff is louder because the engines are at nearly full thrust for the entire takeoff.

Answer 7

An aircraft is will always be louder on take off! Engines are at full throttle to gain the needed speed for lift off.

While on landing engines are powered down in order to descend.

It is like a car more fuel more noise, less fuel (or brakes) less noise

Answer 8

Sammy has about go it, Take offs are loud account of full thrust, But when landing the pilot reversed the thrust to slow down and this is probably loudest for short time only.

Answer 9

They are louder on take off because the pilot is applying full throttle for maximum power and speed, landing is the exact opposite. hence less engine noise.

Answer 10

in my point of view i think it is during take off because the pilot is puting it on full throttle for all the power to take off which will make more noise...when your landing the pilot lowers the throttle cause he doesnt wanna be going at 500 mph on a landing lol the runway wont be long enough lol ...so yeah i think its louder on take off then landing...