Noise
CRMDEEN_at_aol.com
Tue, 4 Aug 1998 22:44:19 EDT
I don't have any data to refer to, but in my experience noise is a very
significant stimulant. Remember that we are dealing with humans, and one of
their senses is "sound". We train habit patterns with noise-producing devices
in the simulator. Instructors who do not use noise as a stimulant, a
distraction, and a stressor, are really missing the reality. The C-130 is
quite noisy, but its amazing how a "different" noise , and even the lack of a
noise can be heard.
In one of my recent seminars, an Air National Guard pilot told us how the
check-out into the MD-88 was challenging to his senses. The aircraft is so
quiet that he cannot hear the engines react to his throttle movement. He had
to force himself to focus on the engine gauges to ensure the throttles were
affecting the engines. Noise was his feedback loop.
I remember reading, some thousand years ago, about a study done to test
the "fatigue" factor of large cars vs. small cars. The results showed that
the size of the car did not affect fatigue as much as the quietness of the car
did. A small car that was quiet was less fatigueing than a noisy large car,
even though the larger car had better seat and a smoother ride. Noise is a
stressor.
Why do pilots have to take, and pass, hearing tests? Would a pilot
like for the Flight Attendent to inform him that there is an unusual sound or
noise in the back of the plane. Noise is information.
Greg Deen
Raytheon