Perforated landing pads could slash noise from air taxis
New research from the University of Bristol suggests that designing vertiports with perforated landing surfaces can significantly reduce noise generated by electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and drones.
Researchers at the University of Bristol have found that perforated landing pads could dramatically decrease the noise produced by delivery drones and electric aircraft during takeoff and landing. This development is timely as electric air taxis transition from concept to reality, with the study published in Applied Acoustics offering potential solutions for noise reduction in Urban Air Mobility (UAM).
The research team proposes that vertiports, the landing facilities for eVTOL vehicles, could incorporate perforated surfaces, such as elevated grid structures. This design aims to mitigate the noise associated with these futuristic vertical aircraft, addressing a key challenge for urban aviation.
The study provides the first demonstration of how perforated surfaces can reduce the loud noise caused by ground effect, a phenomenon occurring when vertical-lift aircraft operate close to the ground. Unlike solid surfaces, perforated designs allow airflow to pass through openings, thereby limiting the formation of high-pressure areas beneath the aircraft. Additionally, the perforations help to reduce acoustic reflections from the ground, further lowering overall noise levels.
Findings indicate that replacing solid landing surfaces with perforated sheets can reduce noise from propeller blades by up to 15 decibels and decrease overall sound pressure levels by as much as 7 decibels. Lead author Dr. Esmaeel Masoudi explained that these perforated surfaces disrupt the mechanisms that amplify ground-effect noise, allowing some airflow to dissipate within the perforations instead of impinging strongly on a solid surface.
The research underscores the importance of integrating both aircraft design and infrastructure development to tackle urban noise issues. The University of Bristol team believes their findings can inform the design of next-generation vertiports, rooftop landing pads, and drone delivery hubs in densely populated urban areas, contributing to quieter and more sustainable urban skies.
This research addresses a critical barrier to the widespread adoption of eVTOLs and drones in urban environments: noise pollution. By proposing a simple yet effective infrastructure modification—perforated landing pads—the study offers a tangible solution to mitigate ground-effect noise amplification. This aligns with the broader additive manufacturing push for smart infrastructure and integrated system design, potentially leading to quieter, more sustainable urban air mobility.
Edited by the news editor with AI from the original report — please refer to the original source.