Demonstrations of a Chapter 4 hushkitted Boeing MD-80 have been completed at Denmark's Copenhagen airport, writes Graham Warwick.
The Pratt & Whitney JT8D-219-powered aircraft was fitted with Aviation Fleet Solutions' (AFS) QuietEagle noise-reduction system.
Developed using technology licensed from P&W, and with aftermarket support provided by the engine manufacturer, the QuietEagle hushkit is now certificated in the USA and Europe and Seattle-based AFS is looking for its first airline customer.
Copenhagen is a hub for Scandinavian Airlines, which operates a large fleet of MD-80-series aircraft. Community noise data from the demonstration flights was collected and analysed by the airport and demonstrated the certificated performance, says AFS.
The kit, which provides a cumulative noise reduction of up to 6dB, includes an improved front fan case, 16-lobe internal exhaust mixer, acoustic muffler and distinctive "tabbed" nozzle.
"We are in discussions with several MD-80 operators," says AFS vice-president sales Bob Beckett. The hushkit is available directly from AFS or through P&W as a bundled package including maintenance services.
The first QuietEagle kit entered service on a VIP MD-87 operated by Russian telecommunications giant Sistema. The aircraft is now based in Moscow after a contractual dispute with the company managing its VIP conversion was resolved.
The MD-87 hit the headlines in March when Sistema was prevented from flying the aircraft out of the country. The twinjet was ordered grounded by the Federal Aviation Administration in Milwaukee, Wisconsin while on route from Fort Worth to Moscow via Canada.
Source: Flight International
