FastDEW

I have heard many complain about the cockpit noise on the 737, even the NG variety. Is it really that loud?

I was on the MD's for a long time and now the 320. I have never flown or jump seated in a 737. How loud is it? I have heard that you need to yell at each other! I cannot imagine that.

georgetg

yes, it is loud...

the 737 cockpit window design and layout is a late 1940s design...



Boeing did add VGs below the windows to reduce the noise and they do help.
Part of the problem is that your head is very close to the window.

The MD is whisper quiet by comparison and much more spacious as is the A320.

Cheers
George

Ottopilot

It is loud, but 10x quieter than a EMB145. The NG's are quieter than the Classics. It's loud for a Boeing. Newer Boeing designs are nice.

Twin Wasp

What, did you say something? The standard F/E question in the 727 was, "How loud do you want to go?"

HectorD

wait, don't 737 pilots use headsets? if so, why would you need to yell at each other? I doubt it is louder than a C172 or similar with the engine right in front... is it?

UAL T38 Phlyer

The noses of all these classic Boeings are identical. This was a cost-saving move by Boeing. The position of the nose-strut varies a little, and obviously, the interior is slightly different: the 707 720, and 727 had an F/E and usually two jumpseats; the 737 has no F/E and one (sometimes two cramped) jumpseats, so they aren't as deep, but externally, they are the same.

The 707 is 50s, not 40s. The FAA (it may have been the CAA) said that just the windshield was not enough....they made Boeing add "eyebrow" windows to "help" clear during a turn. Of course, they are almost worthless.

The "bumps" these eyebrows added create a mach-wave around Mach 0.80 or faster. Supposedly, that is the source of the noise.

The Mad-Dog eyebrows aren't raised, so it doesn't have the problem, and the FAA/European Aviation authority didn't require it on the Bus.

FastDEW

So does that mean that the NG's that were newly constructed without the eyebrows are much quieter?

The MD's were really good, very low noise and fun to fly. But having been on the BUS for only a short time, I must say that the cockpit really is great. The sidestick is very nice as you have plenty of space in front of you and getting up and down is much better. I am 6'2 and can almost stand up in the BUS to stretch! It is noisier than the MD was but still really good. I adjusted to the side stick much better than I thought and other than the computer calling me a retard on landing, I don't have many complaints. The BUS seems a little less stable in a cross wind than the MD did but this may be just me getting used to it.

Anyway, a CA friend of mine went from the BUS to the 737 and he says that the 737 is terribly noisy and is not very comfortable on a long flight. Just what I have heard, so I was wondering how noisy it really is compared to the MD or BUS.

Ottopilot

Headsets are required below 18000'. There is no intercom on Boeings to talk to each other. I know, don't correct me. There is a interphone you can use to speak into the other guys headset or over the speaker. What I'm saying is that there is no voice activated intercom like some think. You do "yell" to each other over the noise.

SEA 737

What?

4,000 plus hours of constant NOISE

F172Driver

What the heck, a multi million dollar airliner designed by Boeing no less and no freaking intercom?? Wow!! Is that just the older ones?