A320 drivers...

[PowerRanger]

I live about 5 miles away from Skyharbor on the approach end of runways 26 & the 25's.

When west operations are in effect ATC has your planes flying (low) over my apartment complex at like 3000 ft. making the left turn to line up with the runways for final.

My question is what is that very distinctive sound that comes from the A320.

It sounds like a hollow hum, whistling sound, like blowing into a pipe or something.

Is this the sound of the wind over the wings or maybe the sound of the wind/vibration from the IAE engines.

Inquiring minds would like to know. BTW...I love the sound!

 

[linepilot]

It's the boards.

 

[AA717driver]

It's the boards.

Not where he's talking about. I hear the same sound but I'm way out on downwind at IND. It's about where you'd be going to an intermediate flap setting.

PowerRanger is at the point where landing flaps are selected.

I figure the sound is the combination of a power reduction as the flaps are extending. At least now my kids can tell when an Airbus is flying overhead. TC

 

[PowerRanger]

Not where he's talking about. I hear the same sound but I'm way out on downwind at IND. It's about where you'd be going to an intermediate flap setting.

PowerRanger is at the point where landing flaps are selected.

I figure the sound is the combination of a power reduction as the flaps are extending. At least now my kids can tell when an Airbus is flying overhead. TC

Yea, you can always tell when an Airbus is flying overhead. The sound is very distinctive!

 

[zonker]

I'd have to say that the 320 is the most comfortable aircraft I have ever flown. I love that airplane.

 

[get2flyin]

If it's a howling sound..it's the boards. Stand on top of Camelback Mountain when they're landing West. All the aircraft turning to join the downwind are assigned a lower altitude and they're trying like hell to get down to avoid an extended downwind. Every bus starts to howl at the same point. Yeah...it's the speedbrakes.

 

[grog_sit_reserv]

I'd have to agree, its the boards but at a lower speed.
Right about downwind abeam you're assigned 210 kts and then they step you down another 2000 feet. At 210kts Fifi don't go down all that fast without a little extra help.

And like get2flyin said, if you're trying to avoid the long downwind on either side, you're outta' options.

 

[Marko Ramius]

The boards are part of it, but I think some of it's the engines b/c it seems to me that the CFM's sound different than the IAE's. The sound is sorta similar to the RR's on the 757 with the extended cowls, so I always figured that had something to do with it b/c the IAE is a part-RR engine.

 

[grog_sit_reserv]

Good point.

 

[PowerRanger]

If it's a howling sound..it's the boards. Stand on top of Camelback Mountain when they're landing West. All the aircraft turning to join the downwind are assigned a lower altitude and they're trying like hell to get down to avoid an extended downwind. Every bus starts to howl at the same point. Yeah...it's the speedbrakes.

Yea, it's a howling sound. I live in Mesa. So when PHX is in west ops planes coming from the southeast and from the west are making that left turn for 25L/25R right over my complex.

I know a HP 737 pilot who told me that ATC likes them about 3000 round bout that point.

Thanks guys for all the info. I never knew that "boards" could make such a distinctive "howling" sound. Hell I didn't know that they could make any real sound. As 737 & 757's over flying my apt. are probably similarly configired and make no distinctive sound.

 

[slackass]

The A-320 doesn't slow down AND go down. It's the boards. The plane limits you to only half speedbrakes with the auto pilot on. To get full brakes you have to turn off the auto pilot. Also when you are in straight and level flight the rule of thumb I've been tought is one mile for every 10 knots of speed you need to lose w/o brakes. (slowing from 250 to 180 requires about 7 miles). Very easy to get stuck high and fast. The last resort is to throw the gear out.

 

[8vATE]

Other theory..

There is a history of aerodynamic noise in the gear/flap area of the Airbus.

I have heard of different locations theories and Airbus has worked to diminish it.

It is a problem as it is most noticeable on approach.

The speedbrakes may make quite a bit of noise, but I really wonder how much is directed down as they are on the top of the wings.

 

[Juan Tugo]

I don't think it's the boards, because every single 'bus that flies over my house at ~2500' on approach to 13r makes that sound. Sometimes you hear a roar (boards/gear extension) but every single one has that "hair dryer" sound.

 

[GuppyWN]

I figured all the whining was from the "east" guys?

The difference between jet engines and pilots? The engines quit whining at the gate.

Gup

 

[PowerRanger]

I don't think it's the boards, because every single 'bus that flies over my house at ~2500' on approach to 13r makes that sound. Sometimes you hear a roar (boards/gear extension) but every single one has that "hair dryer" sound.

"Hair dryer" sound love that. What would you term the sound coming from the RR on the 757's?

 

[PowerRanger]

I figured all the whining was from the "east" guys?

The difference between jet engines and pilots? The engines quit whining at the gate.

Gup

Ahhhh...there it is. The first flightinfo-esque post in the thread!

 

[HalinTexas]

The L1011 sounds better!

 

[slackass]

Do those antiques even have an auto pilot?

 

[Fearless Tower]

The L1011 sounds better!

Nah.....try a C-5

 

[1031Guy]

Ever hear an Avro while the flaps are being extended? You would think the wing was being ripped off...

 

[8vATE]

Do those antiques even have an auto pilot?

You're question regarding the L1011 autopilot marks you as an aviation neophyte!


The autopilot/autoland system on the L1011 was a ground breaking/leading edge system for its day.

CAT III and a very effective and unique system using spoilers for the approach to manage energy/glidepath.

It was right there with the Space Shuttle in its automation of the day (of course you would call the Shuttle a dinosaur now and be accurate).

 

[AutoBus]

Yea, it's a howling sound. I live in Mesa. So when PHX is in west ops planes coming from the southeast and from the west are making that left turn for 25L/25R right over my complex.

I know a HP 737 pilot who told me that ATC likes them about 3000 round bout that point.

Thanks guys for all the info. I never knew that "boards" could make such a distinctive "howling" sound. Hell I didn't know that they could make any real sound. As 737 & 757's over flying my apt. are probably similarly configired and make no distinctive sound.

nevermind

 

[m80drvr]

If the sound is coming from a USAirways (East or West) painted 320 it's the sound of my career spiraling down the toilet.

 

[slackass]

(of course you would call the Shuttle a dinosaur now and be accurate).

That's what I was trying to say about the L1011. I don't know what font to use for sarcasim.

 

[Reebo]

The L1011 sounds better!

How about the sound of those CF6's on the DC-10 or the JT9D's on the 767-200 or 747-100's

 

[pianoman]

"Hair dryer" sound love that. What would you term the sound coming from the RR on the 757's?

Leaf blower?

 

[pipe]

Ever hear an Avro while the flaps are being extended? You would think the wing was being ripped off...

How about gear extension in the cabin of a CRJ? Scares the hell out of everyone on board.

PIPE

 

[HalinTexas]

Nah.....try a C-5

Not even close to a big ole' RR engine.

Besides, how can you hear anything over all the rattling and the parts falling off?

 

[HalinTexas]

How about the sound of those CF6's on the DC-10 or the JT9D's on the 767-200 or 747-100's

Nope.

Have you ever heard an L10 start up and smoke?