27.05.2009, 08:28
The noise from a paltry two and a half litre Lycoming engine on the Cessna's I used to fly was deafening enough. Very punishing on the ears unless you had earphones on.
The reality is that you wouldn't hear another aircraft (regardless of engine size) unless it was very close. This is one reason why people got bounced by enemy fighters - they weren't looking and never heard it coming.
On one flight down to Shoreham, on the south coast, I was flying near a Piper Cub whose heading crossed mine at an acute angle. No risk of collision, we both observed each other. Eventually he passed under me by fifty feet or so, and there was no sound other than my own engine.
Or in the case of one flight where my instructor tapped me on the shoulder and pointed down the blind side of the Cessna. Immediately another aeroplane pulled up sharply over me and I never heard his engine until I was flying under him. Only for a brief second, whilst we were at our closest.
If I had been an external observer, in both cases the engine noise of all aircraft involved would have been very audible.
The reality is that you wouldn't hear another aircraft (regardless of engine size) unless it was very close. This is one reason why people got bounced by enemy fighters - they weren't looking and never heard it coming.
On one flight down to Shoreham, on the south coast, I was flying near a Piper Cub whose heading crossed mine at an acute angle. No risk of collision, we both observed each other. Eventually he passed under me by fifty feet or so, and there was no sound other than my own engine.
Or in the case of one flight where my instructor tapped me on the shoulder and pointed down the blind side of the Cessna. Immediately another aeroplane pulled up sharply over me and I never heard his engine until I was flying under him. Only for a brief second, whilst we were at our closest.
If I had been an external observer, in both cases the engine noise of all aircraft involved would have been very audible.