Business Aircraft Hush Kits

[mzaharis]

Dumb newbie question #3:

What business aircraft require hush kits, and for which aircraft are they desirable/economically worthwhile? I've read of G IIs and G IIIs needing hush kits to meet Stage 3 noise requirements, as well as some of the old Lear 20 family, but do other aircraft need them to meet Stage 3 requirements?

Are there any business aircraft that can't meet even Stage 2?

If you have a Stage 2 aircraft, what operational limitations does that impose (airport unavailibility or curfews)? How about if you aren't Stage 2 compliant?

 

[RipCurl]

Let's see... the REAL loud ones... you mentioned the G-IIs and the old Lears... what about Falcon 20s or Sabreliners? Maybe Jetstars as well?

 

[Lead Sled]

Let's see... the REAL loud ones... you mentioned the G-IIs and the old Lears... what about Falcon 20s or Sabreliners? Maybe Jetstars as well?

Let's not forget the early Viper-powered Hawkers. After the first of the year, when DRVSM becomes effective, there will be a bunch of those old airframes retired - too costly to equip for RVSM and too inefficient to fly at FL280 and below. RVSM - a prime example of the tail wagging the dog.

'Sled

 

[mzaharis]

Let's not forget the early Viper-powered Hawkers. After the first of the year, when DRVSM becomes effective, there will be a bunch of those old airframes retired - too costly to equip for RVSM and too inefficient to fly at FL280 and below. RVSM - a prime example of the tail wagging the dog.

'Sled

So, in other words, since aircraft that are non-stage3 compliant are probably also non-RVSM compliant, and it isn't worth the cost to upgrade them to RVSM, they'll be scrapped, anyway, so it isn't worth the cost of STC'ing hushkits for them - right?

 

[Lead Sled]

So, in other words, since aircraft that are non-stage3 compliant are probably also non-RVSM compliant, and it isn't worth the cost to upgrade them to RVSM, they'll be scrapped, anyway, so it isn't worth the cost of STC'ing hushkits for them - right?

In aviation, it's seldom appropriate to use the words never, always, all, none, etc. There are plenty of aircraft like "most" G-IIs and IIIs that the owners are economically justified in modifying their aircraft. Along those same lines, there are probably quite a few older Lears, Hawkers, Jet Commanders, etc. where it won't be deemed economically viable to mod them and they will be retired.

'Sled