The Research of Acoustic Emission of a Low-Power Aircraft Engine

This paper presents the methodology and investigation of the sound power level produced by a radial piston aircraft engine operating at varied speeds. The research model aircraft engine of a maximum power of 5.5 kW with a two-bladed airscrew was placed on a test bend. Its sound power level was calculated from the sound pressure level measured at 9 measurement points distributed on a hemispherical surface in a confined space in line with PN-EN 3744. Mean sound power generated by the ASP FS400AR engine is 96 dB at idle (2,880 rpm) and 105 dB at a cruising speed (4,740 rpm). Accordingly, it can be concluded that a sound level meter registered a higher sound power level at the points in front of the model aircraft engine than at the points behind it, whereas the lowest sound power level was registered directly above the engine.