Do airplanes have mufflers?

Answer 1

Yes they have mufflers. The piston powered engines do as well as jet engines! The jet engine is in the design of the exhaust-cone of the turbine.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/dayart/20050811/quietjet11.gif

http://www.hq.nasa.gov/pao/History/SP-468/ch10-3.htm
see figure 10.6 on noise suppressors.

Answer 2

Contrary to what most people have said, I would say that most small piston powered aircraft do not have mufflers; they just have an exhaust system. A muffler would be a device that is designed to reduce the noise of the engine exhaust. Most piston aircraft do not have such a device, as it would both reduce power and increase weight. Every airplane I've seen simply has headers which generally feed into a collection pipe which is routed out of the cowling - There is no "muffling" of the sound, thats why they are so much louder than a typical car.

Answer 3

What can I add stacheair, can you believe someone would shot you thumbs down when your answer is obviously correct. It always amazes me.............I gave you the thumbs up.

Tell the people in the aircraft muffler and exhaust overhaul bossiness that there are no mufflers on aircraft.......they will get a good laugh.

I might add that in most general aviation small single engine planes the muffler has a shroud around it which serves to collect heat which is ducted into the cabin for cabin heat in cold weather operations. Be sure at annual inspection to inspect the muffler well for cracks and holes to avoid problems with carbon monoxide. Keep a fresh carbon monoxide tester in your cockpit when this heat system is used.

Answer 4

To answer your question the answer you have to go the certification rule in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFRs). Below I have provided the CFRs reference for you to read. I have to explain on aircraft on aircraft they have exhaust systems on both turbines and reciprocating engines.

Turbine engines do NOT have mufflers such as installed on automotive products. They have hush kits that surround the hot gases with cooler air (shot version) and make the sound decimal lower. The term "exhaust duct" is applied to the engine exhaust pipe, or tailpipe, which connects the turbine outlet to the jet nozzle of a non-afterburning engine. Although an afterburner might also be considered a type of exhaust duct, afterburning is a subject in itself.

In a typical turboprop exhaust system, the exhaust gases are directed from the turbine section of the engine to the atmosphere through a tailpipe assembly. Again No muffler.

Reciprocating engines on most engines do have mufflers, which are part of the exhaust system. Some aircraft will be equipped with augmentor tubes.

There are two general types of exhaust systems in use on reciprocating aircraft engines: the short stack (open) system and the collector system. The short stack system is generally used on nonsupercharged engines and low-powered engines where noise level is not too objectionable. The collector system is used on most large nonsupercharged engines and on all turbo supercharged engines and installations where it would improve nacelle streamlining or provide easier maintenance in the nacelle area. On turbo supercharged engines the exhaust gases must be collected to drive the turbine compressor of the supercharger. Such systems have individual exhaust headers, which empty into a common collector ring with only one outlet. From this outlet, the hot exhaust gas is routed via a tailpipe to the nozzle box of the turbo supercharger to drive the turbine. Although the collector system raises the back pressure of the exhaust system, the gain in horsepower from turbo supercharging more than offsets the loss in horsepower that results from increased back pressure.

Reference the following CFRs:

§ 23.1123 Exhaust system.
(a) Each exhaust system must be fireproof and corrosion-resistant, and must have means to prevent failure due to expansion by operating temperatures.

Inside the muffler unit is a heat exchanger, which is part of the muffler.

§ 23.1125 Exhaust heat exchangers.
For reciprocating engine powered airplanes the following apply:
(a) Each exhaust heat exchanger must be constructed and installed to withstand the vibration, inertia, and other loads that it may be subjected to in normal operation. In addition-

§ 25.1125 Exhaust heat exchangers.
For reciprocating engine powered airplanes, the following apply:

Part 23 is for aircraft under 12,500 lbs and Part 25 is for aircraft 12,500 and over. The certification rules are the same.

Answer 5

Airplanes with internal combustion engines can have mufflers. Most of them do, except for the really high performance ones. A jet does not.

Answer 6

No. At least not jets. The old piston engined planes did though.

Answer 7

Yep. A few wrong answers here again as usual. On jets we call them hush kits.

Answer 8

SMALLER INTERNAL COMBUSTION AIRCRAFT ENGINES DO HAVE SO CALLED MUFFLERS ,YES.....LARGER AIRCRAFT WITH JET POWER DO NOT NEED THEM.